Although we try to hold as many weddings as possible at St Edward's Church, sometimes it is not possible to create a qualifying connection by attendance. Couples may live too far away from Stow-on-the-Wold to attend monthly for six months. When this is the case we can hold a wedding blessing in our ancient church if you have been through a civil marriage conducted elsewhere. The blessing service can have all the traditional features of bells, bridesmaids, flowers, hymns and friends and family all dressed up. Alternatively, it can be a blessing with just the couple with or without a few friends. We ask for a donation for a wedding blessing. A team of bellringers, the organist and flowers are charged separately if you want to have a larger service. We have plenty of local hotels and restaurants for a wedding breakfast for two or two hundred. Please contact us on secretary@stedwardsstow.org.uk to find out how we can make your wedding blessing a very special day.The small print: We would need to see a marriage certificate prior to the service. This is a blessing and not a legal marriage service.When we are allowed to do so Revd Karen would love to offer blessings for same sex couples but we are not there yet.
In August there was filming in Condicote for the Sister Boniface Mysteries Season Three. The Pound, with St Nicholas in the background, will be in season three episode three. We understand that filming was also taking place in gardens around the parish. Season 1 is showing on the BBC at the moment and if you have catch up tv you can see all of the first season on the BBC and seasons one and two on U.Those of us who live in the North Cotswolds can spend many hours watching out for local landmarks and shouting at the tv when locations don't match up. The vicar is well known for this when watching Inspector Morse, Lewis and Shoestring.
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
