Facilities and features
Accessibility
We have now raised enough money to begin work on our own toilet, in the new year 2025. Until it is built, the facilities at the Village Hall immediately next door are left unlocked during church services and events.
Available in the Village Hall.
Parking is available in Rectory Lane leading to the church. There is also parking off Rectory Lane (entrance on the right just after the War Memorial) for services and other events in the church, but this may not be available at other times
Toilet facilities are available in the adjacent Village Hall for services and other events in the church, but may not be available at other times. Plans are at an early stage for installing our own facilities
Free parking in Rectory Lane, and for services on the nearby Glebe land
Sadly, we do not have our own defibrillator. The nearest is at Cradley surgery, on the Bosbury Road, WR13 5LT, opposite the British Legion.
There is wheelchair access from the main door right through to the altar rail
A sound system incorporating a hearing (induction) loop is used at all services
Large print hymn books are available on request
Assistance dogs are always welcome
Our Building
The east window (1872), by Hardman & Co of Birmingham, was given in memory of Thomas Webb, founder of the eponymous firm making fine English glass and crystal in Stourbridge, who spent his retirement in Cradley. The St Francis window (1936) in the north wall of the Sanctuary commemorates the family of Revd Thomas Ayscough (Rector from 1892 to 1917) and is an outstanding example of the work of AJ Davies of the Bromsgrove Guild. It is of national significance.
The church is open daily for private prayer between 8:00 am and 5:00 p.m. (7 pm British Summer Time)
The church is Grade II* listed
We are working towards Eco Church accreditation and are actively seeking ways in which to become more eco-friendly.
Postal services can be accessed at the Village Hall, next door on:
Monday mornings 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Thursday afternoons 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Music and Worship
The bells were rehung and augmented to 8 as part of a project to mark the Millennium.
An active Bell Ringing band is always looking for new members. There are three trained teachers who are members of the Association of Ringing Teachers, so beginners are assured of a great introduction to bell ringing. The group meet for practice evenings on Thursday 7:30pm to 9:00pm on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at Mathon and the 2nd, 4th and 5th (if applicable) Thursdays of the month at Cradley
For further details contact Chris Roberts:
Email: [email protected]
Concerts and recitals are held from time to time, often as fund-raising events in conjunction with the Village Hall. Requests to hire the church for concerts are welcome - we have a license for up to six concerts in any rolling 12-month period.
Our own 'Jimmy's Band' plays once a month at our Church4All services.
The organ was built by John Nicholson of Worcester in 1874 to the specification of the Revd. Sir Frederick Gore Ouseley, and presented to the church by the Rector, the Revd. Edward Renn Hampden. It is regularly tuned and has been recently restored. Visiting organ players tell us it is a lovely instrument to play: 'A little gem'.
BCP Evening Prayer is said on most Wednesdays. Please see our website for further details. Other services are taken from Common Worship, or are informal in nature. There is a service taken from the Book of Common Prayer each Sunday at either Mathon or Storridge, the two other churches in our benefice
We have a four-part (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) robed choir. New members are always welcome
Music for the informal Family Service on the first Sunday of each month is led by Jimmy's Band. If you play any instrument whatsoever, whatever your standard, you would be most welcome to join us
Groups, Courses and Activities
To join 'Christians Together', contact Roy Smallwood 01886 880 858
On the last Thursday of each month a small group from our congregation hosts a coffee morning in the Community Room at The Leys, a sheltered housing complex in Cradley.
There is a small active branch of the Mothers’ Union in the benefice, which meets each month, and currently has twelve members.
Help for Visitors
We are very happy to give group guided tours by prior arrangement.
For those with family connections planning research, our website now also has a searchable database that will enable you to locate a grave. If you can't get to us, our website offers a virtual tour of the church in the comfort of your own home.
We have produced a series of leaflets that will tell you about the church and its heritage and these are available inside the church.
The nearest shop is well stocked and is on the Bosbury Road:
The Village Store, WR13 5LT
The Church is open daily to visitors from 8 am to 5 pm (7 pm British Summer Time), and free self-service tea and coffee facilities are always available.
Other Features
We actively support Ledbury Food Bank. Gifts in kind may be left in the church.
We have installed an intranet, accessible by smart phone or tablet, giving an audio-visual tour of the church
The church is within Cradley Conservation Area and Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty