Although we haven't had a vicar for some time but we do have the same person to officiate at the HC services which is great. Beyond this we have an active church council and, along with helpers, we put on extra services and events as well as seeking to maintain and improve the church building.We're putting on an "extra" in February on Sunday 8th at 4pm - "Celebrate Love - the greatest gift of all" with some (hopefully) inspiring readings and plenty of singing.The church itself is open every day and it's surprising how many people pop in for a quiet moment. Pop along when you get chance and take a look around. We had a new main door last year and created a communal area both of which mean that the church is more welcoming than it was before.If you are looking for a regular service every Sunday there are services in neighbouring villages: Kimcote (2nd Sunday of the month); Peatling Parva (3rd Sunday) and Ashby Magna (4th Sunday).Back to Gilmorton: To give you a flavour of what you might expect during the year we have extra services around Easter and Christmas and tea and cakes over the summer. In 2025 we had a number of events/ services with well over a hundred attending - Remembrance Sunday; Hymns and Pimms; and our very own take on Halloween (with over 300 attending!). We've run "exploring Christianity" in the spring for the past few years - to a handful of people each time.There are numerous other events and services occurring during the year but it will be interesting to know what you've been involved in previously. We're always looking for new ideas (and volunteers!).
In the summer of 2022 we applied for a grant from Harborough District Council to create a commemoration of Queen Elizabeth's platinum jubilee. The application process took until the end of 2022 by which time the Queen had sadly passed away. It took a further two years to obtain faculty approval for the project but this was granted on 23rd December 2024. In late January 2025 the project commenced with the removal of nine pews; the floor being prepared for tiling and the north wall being plastered. It subsequently transpired that the floor and walls were not drying properly. Update - April 2025It has been a remarkably interesting (and expensive) few weeks! Having removed nine pews from the north aisle we discovered that the new floor and plaster on the walls was not drying properly. It transpired that this was due to major problems with the drains. The solution was to create one large and one small soakaway. There were no known graves in the area. Our burial records only go back to 1708 but there has been a church in Gilmorton since at least the 13th century. As a result, an archaeologist was required to be present with a “watching brief” in case bones were discovered – and yes there were some. These bones will be re-interred, and we have a special place in the churchyard in mind for the reburial.Update - July 2025The project is now complete. We have a wonderful oak framed glass door. The old Victorian door has been kept and is on display. We also have a multi-functional communal area with which includes floor tiles with a commemoration of the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. We are celebrating the completion of this project with Hymns and Pimm's on Sunday 7th September.Update September 2025We celebrated the completion of the project with Hymns and Pimm's on 7th September with over 90 people attending the event.
Please note that there is no vicar for the eleven churches in the Avon Swift group. If you have an enquiry please contact the church warden of the relevant parish or Christine Perkins. Christine is the Lutterworth Church Administrator and has administrative duties for the Avon Swift group of churches.Christine can be contacted on 01455 558797office@wycliffefellowship.orgSt Mary’s Church, Church Gate, Lutterworth, LE17 4ANShe works from 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday.
