Our Medieval Round Church has been welcoming visitors since 1100 AD and this year she will also stay open from Oct-April.

If only these walls could talk, I wonder what they would say?

The Holy Sepulchre is the oldest building in Northampton, surviving the great fire, one of only four medieval round churches in the U.K., and has the longest aisle in Northampton.

Historic battles have taken place here, famous people have been married here and royalty has visited.

The stained glass is beautiful, the Soldier’s Chapel delightful and the stories even more intriguing.

Join our volunteers on the dates below to find out more.

During the winter we open the church for self guided tours some Tuesdays between 12 noon and 2pm and one Saturday every month.

A few things to note:

Please e-mail [email protected] or call and leave a message on 01604 627988 to check the opening times before travelling. We are a small group of volunteers and sometimes things chance at the last minute.

Please come wrapped up, as the church can be very cold in the winter.

If you would like a tour with one of our historians please contact [email protected] as they are not normally at open days in the winter months.

Entrance can sometimes be organised at other times so please e-mail us to see if we can arrange something.

Open Days

November 14th -2pm-4pm
December – no open day
January – 9th -2pm-4pm
February -6th – 2pm-4pm
March – 13th – 2pm-4pm
April – 17th – 2pm-4pm

In May we move into our Summer schedule

Service November 15th at 2pm Holy Sepulchre Church

Please join us for this year’s World Day of Remembrance Service, which will be led by Revd Oliver Coss.

During the service we remember those killed and injured on our roads, as well as those who support them.

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR) is commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year–to remember the many millions killed and injured on the world’s roads, together with their families, friends and the many others who are also affected. It is also an opportunity to thank the emergency services, medical professionals and others who deal daily with the traumatic aftermath of road death and injury

Sunday services take place in The Round. Entrance is via the Great West Door (Sheep Street) or the South Porch (Church Lane).

While we love our building we recognize that the church community is more than a building and our services, events, and groups all aim to bring people together.

As a registered Inclusive Church we welcome all people regardless of age, race, gender, sexuality, mental or physical abilities, or financial or social status. We fully support the ministry of women as deacons, priests, and bishops.

Services are usually followed by tea, coffee and biscuits in the adjacent Community Room.

We also know that attending a church for the first time can be a little nerve-wracking and daunting too. For this reason we have a community manager whose job it is to answer any of your questions, meet you before service, escort you into the building, introduce you to others and walk you through how we worship here. We want you to feel cared for here and not allow nerves or worries to get in the way of your worship. Just e-mail sarah@holy sepulchre.co.uk and we can start chatting.

Similarly, if you want to attend but getting here is a challenge, e-mail as we might be able to help.

Tuesday services take place in Beckets’ Chapel. Enter by the Pioneer Door on the south side of the building by the door behind the small bank.

While we love our building we recognize that the church community is more than a building and our services, events, and groups all aim to bring people together.

As a registered Inclusive Church we welcome all people regardless of age, race, gender, sexuality, mental or physical abilities, or financial or social status. We fully support the ministry of women as deacons, priests, and bishops.

Services are usually followed by tea, coffee and biscuits in the adjacent Community Room.

We also know that attending a church for the first time can be a little nerve-wracking and daunting too. For this reason we have a community manager whose job it is to answer any of your questions, meet you before service, escort you into the building, introduce you to others and walk you through how we worship here. We want you to feel cared for here and not allow nerves or worries to get in the way of your worship. Just e-mail sarah@holy sepulchre.co.uk and we can start chatting.

Similarly, if you want to attend but getting here is a challenge, e-mail as we might be able to help.

Advent marks the beginning of a new year in the Church's calendar and a season of waiting, hope and preparation for Christmas.
Our Advent Procession begins in the Round and moves through the church towards the High Altar, accompanied by beautiful choral music and traditional ceremony.
The procession symbolises a journey from darkness towards light, reflecting the centuries of hope and expectation before the birth of Jesus, and the continuing hope for peace and renewal in our world today.
It is a beautiful and atmospheric way to begin the Advent season, bringing together music, movement and the extraordinary surroundings of our historic church.
Everyone is welcome, whether you regularly attend church or simply wish to experience this special tradition.

Advent Two - Sunday 6 December, 4pm
The Prophets: A Promise of Hope
On the second Sunday of Advent, we light a candle remembering the prophets, who spoke of a future filled with peace, justice and hope.
Their words remind us that even in uncertain times, we can look forward with hope and believe that change is possible.

Advent Three - Sunday 13 December, 4pm
John the Baptist: Preparing the Way
The third Advent candle remembers John the Baptist, who called people to prepare for the coming of Jesus.
His message was about more than waiting. It was about changing how we live, how we treat others and how we prepare ourselves for something new.
This Sunday is also traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, a day of rejoicing as Christmas draws nearer.

Advent Four - Sunday 20 December, 4pm
Mary: Faith and Courage
The fourth Advent candle remembers Mary, the mother of Jesus, whose willingness to embrace an uncertain future became part of an extraordinary story.
Her story invites us to reflect on courage, trust and the hope that even the most ordinary lives can be part of something remarkable.

Everyone is welcome to join us at 4pm each Sunday as we journey through Advent together, taking time for reflection, music and the deeper meaning of Christmas.

Masque Theatre - Blackadder III
DATES:

December 8th-12th

WHERE:

The Round,
Holy Sepulchre Church Hall, Church Lane, Northampton NN1 3NL.

All performances start at 7.30 pm

PRICE:

£12

PRODUCTION:

BLACKADDER III

Three adventures. Countless calamities. One very put‑upon Elizabethan gentleman.

Treachery, trousers and Tudor tomfoolery
Ian Hammond-Stark, director

After the Success of Blackadder II, Masque Theatre have agreed to more cunning plans and tomfoolery…

Blackadder III will follow the same format of three episodes (Amy and Amiability, Nob and Nobility and Duel and Duality) all performed in the round at The Holy Sepulchre, Northampton.

Amy and Amiability – with the Prince broke, it’s down to his butler Blackadder to find him a rich bride.

Nob and Nobility – With tales around court of the exploits of The Scarlet Pimpernel, Blackadder aims to prove… It’s not that difficult.

Duel and Duality – With the prince bringing dishonour to a member of court, a challenge of a duel has been issued…

Join us at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the message of hope, peace and love at the heart of Christmas.

A special time to come together in worship, reflection and thanksgiving, remembering the true meaning of Christmas.

Everyone is warmly welcome.

Christmas One | Sunday 27 December 2026

The Holy Family: Finding Safety and Hope

The Christmas story continues as Mary, Joseph and Jesus flee to Egypt to escape danger. Their journey reminds us of the importance of compassion, protection and offering safety to those in need.

Christmas Two | Sunday 3 January 2027

The Word Made Flesh: God Among Us

The second Sunday of Christmas explores the deeper meaning of Jesus' birth. John's Gospel describes Jesus as the light of the world, inviting us to reflect on God's presence in our everyday lives.