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Parish of St Mary and Corpus Christi, Down Hatherley

(includes churchyard at St Matthew’s Twigworth)

Churchwardens: Ellie Stevenson 01452 739142 and Ian Donald.                Church postcode: GL2 9QB

Open daily 10-5pm

Regular worship – check here for details:

2nd Sunday every month – 6pm Evening Prayer

4th Sunday alternate months – 9.30am  Holy Communion

Down Hatherley combines its ancient village roots (mentioned as Athelai in the Domesday Book) with the challenges of a growing community, rising from 400 to over 1,300 households within the parish boundary in recent years.

Change is nothing new. From early church activity here in 1222 through to serving the new housing at Fallow Fields, Orchard Park and Twigworth Green, we are used to looking for new ways to adapt and move forward.

We run regular team led Evening Prayer and Benefice services, host wider village events with close connections to the parish council and other village activities.  The church holds a special place for many people, demonstrated by our successful fund raising and Sponsor a Tile initiative to re-roof parts of the church in 2025.

As a Grade II* listed building, with remains dating from the 15th century, largely rebuilt by the Victorians with stunning stained glass windows,  it was selected as one of “The Nation’s Favourite Churches” in the BBC’s Songs of Praise book.   For more on our fascinating history, including links to the American Declaration of Independence, click here

We are open every day to welcome visitors tracing family links, enjoying beautiful churches as well as those seeking a prayerful place, a space for reflection and closer journeying to the Christian faith.

 

St Matthew’s Twigworth closed in 2019, although the burial ground remains open.  For details of the changes to parish boundaries and proposals for the disposal of the church building, click here .