About Us
[Please note that due to the pandemic many of these events are unable to go ahead for the time being.]
<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Welcome to St Mary’s Church. St Mary's is a village church and all are welcome to visit or attend one of the weekly services.</span>
The Church is part of one of two benefices in the Ash and Quin Valleys Group Ministry. The other churches in the benefice are St Mary's Furneux Pelham, and St Mary's Stocking Pelham. The Southern benefice comprises: St Mary's Albury, St Cecilia's Little Hadham and St Andrew's with St Thomas' Much Hadham.
There is a worship service every Sunday. Once a month there is a service which is especially suitable for children, although children are always welcome (there is a small area with toys where they can play if they wish.) Throughout the year special services are held (e.g. Pet Service, Harvest Celebration, Remembrance Day etc) and we share our worship with the local Methodists Church community four times a year. The local school, Jenyns, comes to the church for services for the major festivals during the year.
Every Wednesday morning at 9.30am, there is a quiet Holy Communion service followed by coffee and biscuits.
On the 2nd Sunday every month there is an infomal worship service in the evening at 6pm to which people from across the Group attend with more contemporary music and a chance to meet with the wider church family, listen to God and explore God's word together.
The church is open during the day for anyone who wishes to use it for quiet prayer or reflection. We have activities for children and young people including occasional Messy Church, Little FIshes Mother & Toddler Group and Little Fishes Church (for under 5s and their carers), Impact a social group for children in years 4, 5 & 6, a monthly house group, Mothers’ Union and a thriving bell-ringers team. Other activities include celebrating the village tradition of Old Man’s Day on 2nd October every year, which both young and old enjoy. Additionally there are occasional courses e.g. Lent course and Learning to Hear God's Voice course and planned quiet days.
The Church has a small choir who regularly sing at services, children and young people are very welcome to join the choir. For more information please speak to the Parish Office, details below.
During the summer people in the church and village provide ‘Sunday Teas’ with home-made cakes and a Country Stall, helping to raise funds for the church. The Friends of St Mary’s also raise funds to help to maintain and improve the beautiful grade 1 listed building.
The churchyard is well maintained and many people come to visit it. There is information available in the Parish Office to help people find relatives’ graves.
If you would like further information about baptisms, weddings or funerals or would simply like to find out about the Christian faith or receive prayer, Rev'd Julie Gawthrope, would be very happy to arrange to meet you.