St Mary's is one of eleven Parish Churches within the Bride Valley & Chesil Benefice. Other members are: St Mary The Virgin, Burton Bradstock St Michael and All Angels, Little Bredy St Peter, Long Bredy; Chilcombe (dedication unknown); St Mary The Blessed Virgin, Puncknowle; St Martin, Shipton Gorge; Holy Trinity, Swyre; St Nicholas, Abbotsbury; St Peter, Portesham; St Peter, Langton Herring. Rector: Reverend Andrew Rawding Parochial Church Council Chairman: The Rector Churchwarden: Vacant Secretary: Vacant (Contact Wendy Firrell 01308 482532) Treasurer: Kathryn Brooks The full Parochial Church Council meets four times a year including the Annual Church Meeting in April. The Council adopted a policy whereby the church would embrace community use. To that end the pews at the rear of the nave were removed and the floor there levelled to provide an open space for social occasions. As a result of the generosity of many villagers, 50 upholstered chairs were purchased to provide additional seating when required. A hearing loop and sound enhancement system are installed and a professional recording of our organist Paul Cheater made so that a library of hymns and other music can be played at St Mary’s, and other churches in the Bride Valley, in the absence of an organist. To complete the policy, the redundant church hall was demolished to provide some car parking space and to create a vehicular access to the churchyard,. The tower was reordered, to provide a WC and small kitchen facility on the ground floor, with a staircase to a new mezzanine floor above. The pattern of Worship currently in use on a monthly basis is: 1 st Sunday: 9.30 am: Holy Communion, with hymns and sung responses. 2 nd Sunday: 9.30 am: Morning Worship (lay led) 3 rd Sunday: Oct – April 9.30 am: Morning Prayer (lay led) 3 rd Sunday: May – September 6.00 pm Evensong (usually lay led) 4 th Sunday: 4.00 pm - Community Church at LATCH (informal) 5 th Sunday: usually a United Valley Service at one of the Valley Churches. Copies of Source to Sea (Sunday Pew Sheet) and Bride Valley News are available in the Church.
The Ministry
ST MARY’S CHURCH
Safeguarding
St. Mary’s Church takes its responsibilities surrounding the safeguarding of children, young people, and adults who may be at risk very seriously and works in partnership with the Diocese of Salisbury to ensure that we work in accordance with best practice at all times. Our Parish Safeguarding Policy was adopted by the PCC on 8th May 2018 and a copy of it is available on the shelf inside the Church. It can also be downloaded from the Salisbury Diocese website: www.salisbury.anglican.org If you have queries or concerns regarding any safeguarding issues you should contact the Diocese as Safeguarding Advisor direct at https://www.salisbury.anglican.org/safeguarding/ Email: safeguarding@salisbury.anglican.org Or telephone 01722 438651 and press option 2.
Newsletter October 2026
COMMUNITY HALL THORNERS SCHOOL BRIDE VALLEY FILMS ALLOTMENTS ST. MARYS CHURCH WHITE HORSE INN
Sunday November 8th at 4.00pm St Mary's will be holding a special Remembrance Service with words and music to mark the day, including an anthem sung by the choir. Do come and be part of our commemoration of all those who served to protect the freedoms we enjoy today The repair work and upgrades on the church flagpole are now all complete and flags will be able to fly without fear of tangling or damage. Thank you to everyone who very generously contributed to the cost of the works, ensuring the village can mark special occasions for many years to come. Thank you to everybody who supported the Village Café on Saturday 5 th September at LATCH - it was a huge success and we raised an amazing £2000 for church funds! It was great to see everyone enjoying the stalls; congratulations to all the prize winners. Thank you also to our generous sponsors - Ford Farm (Cheese Factory), Bride Valley Vineyard, C G Fry, The White Horse and Modbury Farm Shop. Ride & Stride - Our intrepid riders from the village set off on Saturday 12th September to cycle round a selection of local churches, ranging from Cattistock in the North to Symondsbury and Abbotsbury in the West and East. Together, Emily & Richard Cave and Martyn Brooks raised approximately £1000 for DHCT, half of which will come back to St Mary's to boost window repair funds. We can also apply to the Trust for grants so a very worthwhile cause. Thank you to our riders and to all their very generous sponsors. Sunday 29 th is Advent Sunday. Our annual “Darkness to Light” service will be at 4.00 pm that day with music from Paul and the Choir and readings to start our journey to Christmas. It will be a gentle and atmospheric service and all are welcome. Look out for details of our Church Kneeler event in April next year!
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