We love weddings and our four churches of St Mary's Upper and Lower Swell, St Nicholas in Condicote and St Edward's in Stow on the Wold provide a perfect backdrop for your big day. The village churches are small and are perfect for a small country wedding of up to 60 guests. St Edward's Stow on the Wold is much larger and can accommodate up to 220 guests. There is also the iconic north door which provides a frame for unique wedding photos.If you live in the parish then it is really easy and you just need to contact the Revd Karen, the priest in charge of the four churches, on revdkaren@stedwardsstow.org.uk to chat through how we help you plan your wedding.If you don't live in the parish there you can still have your wedding here if you have a qualifying connection. You might have lived in the parish in the past for at least six months, or you were baptised (christened) or confirmed in any of our churches.If your parents or grandparent's were married in one of our churches you can do the same. Finally, if your parents have lived in the parish for at least six months or if you have attended one of our churches for at least six months you can hold your wedding here. If you are not sure then please contact us. If you live too far away to create a qualifying connection you can have a wedding blessing at one of our churches. The official Church of England website is here and has lots of information about planning a wedding.https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/your-church-wedding/just-engaged/finding-church-your-wedding
We are delighted to announce that the Revd Karen Wellman was installed and licensed on 4 September 2023 as Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of Stow, Condicote and The Swells. The Benefice has been in vacancy since the Reverend Martin Short retired in October 2021.Karen joins us from St Mark’s Teddington in the Diocese of London. Please hold her in your prayers as she commences her ministry in the Benefice.It is with great pleasure that the Churchwardens, PCCs and people of all the Benefice Churches welcome Karen, as we seek together to bring God’s love and the message of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord, to everyone in our communities. . For further details by way of introduction from Revd Karen herself please see the Benefice Diary for May: Click here
We are delighted that St Edward's Church will reopen on Palm Sunday. 2nd April 2023, after a major updating of the interior. For the past three months, the church has been closed to worshippers and visitors, while we transform the interior of the ancient church into a flexible space fit for the 21st century. The image shows some of the work in progress and the reason why we have had to close the church while the work has been going on!Bishop Rachel of Gloucester will help us celebrate the reopening with a special Palm Sunday service. Join us there. You're welcome!
