The Marriage Service says ‘Marriage is sign of unity and loyalty, that enriches society and strengthens community and is a great foundation for family life. Getting married in church is a public declaration before God and your family and friends that you are pledging yourselves to a lifetime of love and companionship. It is a reflection of our eternal Christian relationship with God.
St Mary’s used to be a village church so it has a rural look about it, particularly with its lych gate which greets you as you walk up the church path. This means that it is a popular venue for weddings.
We are able to marry people who live in our parish, and also those who satisfy one of the qualifying connections below.
A person has a Qualifying Connection with a parish if:
that person:
was baptised in the parish. (This does not apply where the baptism formed part of a combined service of baptism or confirmation);
or
had his or her confirmation entered in a church register book of a church or chapel in the parish;
or
has at any time had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months;
or
has at any time habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;
or
a Parent of that person has at any time during that person’s lifetime: had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months; or habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;
or
a Parent or Grandparent of that person was married in the parish.
Please note that it is up to the individual priest as to whether he/she will marry those who have been divorced.
If you want to book or find out more information about baptisms or Marriage then please attend one of our monthly Saturday coffee mornings to speak directly to one of the vestry team. Dates for these can be found on our church calendar.