The service paints many vivid pictures of what happens on the Christian way.
If you are engaged to be married and looking for a church to be married in, then congratulations! A wedding is one of life's great moments, a time of solemn commitment as well as good wishes, feasting and joy.
If someone you know and love has died, a funeral led by a Church of England minister can be held in church, in a churchyard, by a graveside, or at a crematorium. The minister will be there to support you every step of the way.
Recent years have seen a resurgence in worship at St. Mary’s. All members of our diverse community are welcomed and encouraged to attend. We are blessed to have a number of young children as members of our village community, many of whom attend church regularly. Young people play an active role in services through playing instruments, reading lessons and leading prayers. The ‘family feel’ to services is further facilitated by the provision of refreshments at the end of services. In a village where the church is the only public building, this represents a wonderful opportunity for members of the community to spend time together.
St. Mary’s has strong links with the Skirpenbeck Village Group. This was established to support the church and encourage engagement in communal events. Events include Easter egg trails, ‘cake and a cuppa’ events, quizzes, summer fêtes and craft events. The PCC plays a significant role in organising and supporting them. Events are incredibly well supported by the community. We have been able to raise additional funds for the church and, perhaps most significantly, have been thrilled by the sense of community engendered through organisation of and attendance at these events. St. Mary’s is also used as a meeting place for groups including the Skirpenbeck Village Group and the local Parish Council. Ongoing links with a local heritage group have also been established.
Willing volunteers support the churchwarden in the maintenance of the large church yard. The PCC is aware that the building itself requires significant attention. Recent steps include completion of the QI report, inspection and report of the bells, inspection of the organ and completion of an electric survey with recommendations subsequently carried out. Fundraising and grant applications are seen as integral to next steps to improve the fabric of the building.
The congregation at St. Mary’s continues to grow. The PCC and Church Warden are keen for this to continue, and view the welcoming nature of our services and community events as central to this. St. Mary’s is a family, characterised by warmth, inclusivity and acceptance
Children are made very welcome at St Mary’s and take part enthusiastically in family services, such as this Nativity Play.
People from the village come together for events in the church and churchyard, helping to raise funds and strengthen the community.
Skirpenbeck lies just north of the A166 road, some two miles to the north-west of Stamford Bridge, where King Harold of England defeated Harald Hardrada, King of Norway, on 25th September 1066. Less than three weeks later, King Harold would lose his life at Hastings in the defeat by the Norman invaders.
The parish church of St Mary’s is a Grade II* listed building, sitting at the eastern end of the long winding village street. The list of rectors starts in 1274 and there was a settlement around the church before that. Markings near the bell tower appear to be Saxon runes. Skirpenbeck’s first baron was the Norman Sir William de Chauncey and it is entirely reasonable to suppose that the church dates from that period.
The church is fortunate to have a very beautiful baptismal font, originally sited outside the building and carved with overlapping Romanesque arches, which dates it to the transition between Norman and Early English styles. Unusually, an original 12th century ‘arrow-slit’ window remains in the north wall (such windows were almost always enlarged). The organ was built in 1848 by Joseph Bell of York – one of the only two he made – and important for being in its original state, not electrified. Clear glass panes in the East window give onto trees beyond and at the centre of the window is a stained glass Trinity, designed in 1967 by Harry Harvey (1922-2011). The combination of seeing through the window and gazing at the central image makes a valued contribution to the worship of God here.
Seating Capacity: 70
Graveyard: Open
Lay participation: Lesson readers, Intercessors
Services per month: 1
Attendance: 22
Approx Civil Population 145
