A welcome for all
It’s the view that tells you you’re home: standing at the corner of Westgate and gazing up the cobbled Church Street to see St Mary’s Church rising above the weavers’ cottages. Apart from cosmetic changes, this iconic scene has barely changed in the past 150 years.
St Mary’s (together with St George’s Church, Brockholes) is in the Parish of Honley with Brockholes, in the Anglican Diocese of Leeds. Part of the Church of England, St Mary’s welcomes everyone, with weekly church services open to the entire village community and beyond.
Celebrating life and love
Regular church services take place every Sunday. The church opens at 8.00am for the Book of Common Prayer communion, followed by the principal Morning Worship at 9.30am. On the first Sunday of every month there’s a dedicated Family Service and special services take place at Christmas, Easter and during other annual religious celebrations. A mid-week service is held on Wednesday’s at 9.30am.
St Mary’s is also there for all your major life events whether you’re a regular church goer or not. Baptisms, weddings and funerals can all be performed at the church. It’s certainly a picturesque venue for weddings and, providing you meet the legal requirements, couples are welcome to take their vows at St Mary’s.
A place to meet
Religious services are just part of the church’s role in the community. It’s also a place where people can get together and enjoy each other’s company. Every Thursday, the Church hosts a coffee morning at 10am, which is open for anyone to drop in and enjoy a cuppa and chat with friends both old and new.
Many other community groups and clubs take advantage of the opportunity to hire the Parish Rooms, including the Civic Society, Mother’s Union and keep fit groups. If you’re interested in any of these groups, you’ll find details of events and how to hire the hall on the St Mary’s Church website.
Part of the community
St Mary’s has always been an integral part of village life. Both the infant and junior schools are Church of England schools. Indeed, the church hosts several school services throughout the year, including Harvest Festivals, Christmas carol services and leavers’ assemblies and has representatives on the Board of Governors.
The church is also a central part of the village celebrations, with choirs and bands adding to the festive feel of the annual Christmas market and Christmas light switch on.
In essence, St Mary’s is more than just an iconic landmark, it’s part of the heart and soul of our village.