Facilities and features
Accessibility
We aim to be as accessible as possible. Our building recently underwent some refurbishment which included a less-steep slope into church and room for a wheelchair to turn around outside and inside one of our four-bathroom cubicles. We also have some fidget toys and children's ear defenders if required.
If you would like to know more, please do get in touch and if you need any help at a service or event, any of our friendly team wearing lanyards would be delighted to come alongside you.
We have ramp access at the front (main entrance - York Road) and back of the building (office entrance - Mount Hermon Rd.)
Step free access across the whole of the building.
Whilst we do have a step leading from our worship area to our hall, and, our worship area to our Youth Room, there are step-free routes to both areas.
We do have a wheelchair available in our Worship Area.
We are inclusive of all, if you would like support, you can get in touch with us beforehand or you can receive help from any team member (wearing lanyards.)
We have free-from options for refreshments and food that may be provided at a Sunday service (biscuits) or at any event.
We use gluten-free bread at our communion and we have free-from options for refreshments and food that may be provided at a Sunday service (biscuits) or at any event.
We of course welcome assistance dogs.
One of our four cubicles is accessible, with room to turn around in a wheelchair inside and outside the cubicle. This is a recent upgrade.
We aim to be inclusive of all. We have a neurodivergent staff member and neurodivergent children and adults attending services, children's work and events. Please let us know how we can support you best.
We have a car park, and we are happy to reserve spaces for anyone who may have accessibility issues. If the car park is full, parking in the bays around Mount Hermon Rd and York Rd are available and free after 11am Monday-Friday and all-day Saturday and Sunday. (Please check the signage in case this changes.)
We have baby changing facilities in two of our four-bathroom cubicles.
We have defibrillator in our Worship Area.
Our Building
Grade II listed building. List Entry Number: 1236965. Date first listed: 06-Jan-1984.
We have a beautiful stained-glass window in our Chancel area, which was originally the front of our church.
We have four single-stall toilet cubicles, each with sanitary products for those who menstruate.
Music and Worship
We regularly host live music events for local choirs! We also host our own Jam sessions once a month for those who may enjoy coming along to sing or play their instrument.
We have an organ that is regularly played during our services.
On the first Sunday of each month, we have an 8am Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion Service.
Groups, Courses and Activities
During our 10.30am service, we run Pathfinders is for secondary school age children.
Sunday evening Fusion - for secondary school age children, meeting at 6:30 -8pm at either SMOB or St Andrew’s Goldsworth Park. Activities include pool, table tennis, table football, and more. Sunday evening Youth
October & December - at St Mary of Bethany
November - at St Andrew's Church, Goldsworth Park Centre, Denton Way, Woking, GU21 3LG
We regularly run an Alpha course - please see https://www.smob.uk/faith-exploration for more information.
We hold bible study groups throughout the week - please get in touch if you would be interested in finding out more.
We run Christianity Explored courses - please see https://www.smob.uk/faith-exploration for more information.
We host termly chill events and a summer community day, please visit https://www.smob.uk/events to keep up to date!
We have many community groups for people of all ages and walks of life, including a social group for those 50+ fortnightly on a Thursday, a toddler group for parents and babies/toddlers on a Tuesday and a English-conversation practice group for those that English may not be their first language on a Thursday afternoon! Get in touch or visit our website (https://www.smob.uk) for more information.
We host a number of uniformed groups on weekday evenings, please get in touch or visit https://www.girlguiding.org.uk, https://www.7thwoking.org.uk for more information.
Bethany Babes on a Tuesday. Meeting during term times, from 10-11.30am, for babies, toddlers and their parents/carers - a social activity for parents as well as children.
To attend, you will need to sign-up. Please visit https://www.stmaryofbethany.org.uk/calendar, and you will be able to click on the upcoming Bethany Babes event and sign up. We ask for a £2.00 contribution per family for the session.
We have a baby area, play kitchen, train set, cars, sit and rides, tunnels, puzzles, books and more!
We host a number of uniformed groups on weekday evenings, please get in touch or visit https://www.girlguiding.org.uk, https://www.7thwoking.org.uk for more information.
Help for Visitors
Other Features
We are a fairtrade church, only purchasing fairtrade tea, coffee and produce.
We are very lucky to have an incredible AV team, meaning we can livestream and present all our services professionally.
We have plenty of space available to hire for meetings, children's parties, concerts and more. We offer discounted rates to church members and charities. Get in touch with our office to find out more - [email protected]
We are a very proud silver-award-winning eco church, currently working towards gold!