Hopton Castle: St Edward

Stowe: St Michael and All Angels

A warm welcome to St Michael and All Angels Church, Stowe, and thank you for visiting our pages.

We are fortunate to be located in a beautiful rural area of Shropshire, on the borders of Herefordshire and Powys.

We generally hold two services each month: Holy Communion every second Sunday and BCP Morning Prayers every fourth Sunday. It is always best to check this, however, particularly if you are travelling a long way.

Our Churchwardens, Anna and Sarah, would be delighted to hear from you. Please don't hesitate to contact them if you need information about services, access to the church, or any other matter. Sarah may be contacted via 07525 757209 or [email protected]. Anna is available on 07810 414232.

Safeguarding: The parish of Stowe is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO), Sarah Smith, contactable via 07525 757209 or 01547 529457. The Diocese of Hereford’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services

Inclusivity statement: We believe in inclusive church – a church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate. We will continue to challenge the church where it continues to discriminate against people on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality. We believe in a Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.

St Cuthbert's Church, Clungunford

People have worshipped at St Cuthberts for more years than we know. Prior to the building we see today, there was an earlier, wooden church which stood on the same site, dedicated to the much loved Anglo Saxon, St Cuthbert, who loved animals and wild countryside. His body is buried in Durham Cathedral which is dedicated to him

The present stone building was begun by the Lord of the Manor, Roger de Halberdine, soon after 1305, unfortunately just before a mini ice age. Nevertheless, the villagers continued building their church for more than 40 years despite such great poverty that they were frequently excused from paying tax. They used stone from quarries, which are still visible in the parish and chancel roof beams from local oaks. Dendrochronological dating shows those trees to have been felled in the winter of 1329-30 and put up straight away. The sandstone windows were bought from a more distant Shropshire quarry and would have been a great expense for the Lord of the Manor.

Earlier glass and decorations were destroyed in the Reformation but the archway for Roger’s tomb remains and 14th Century wooden chest, which held his robes, is still in use in the chancel. The medieval bells, which were originally housed in a turret on the roof, are frequently rung today.

Once completed, probably with help from the Earl of Arundel after the cost had bankrupted Roger de Halberdine, the church was carefully maintained through the centuries by local builders under the direction of the Church Wardens. A fire in the early fifteenth century, caused the side chapel, (the modern Vestry) to be re-roofed in 1415 but no major alterations were done to the medieval structure until, after 650 years, the Victorians added a stone tower to house the bells.

In more recent years, internal toilets and a kitchenette have been added, making the church much more usable for a wide variety of modern day functions.

St Cuthbert's today supports a lively congregation and warmly welcomes both visitors and those wishing to worship with us.

Bucknell: St Mary

Bedstone: St Mary

St. Mary's Church, Bedstone, is in the centre of our small village. It is one of the 7 Parishes in the Middle Marches Benefice. Our priest in charge is Rev. Martin Quayle, who was licensed to our Benefice on 19th September in a part time capacity. He will be taking our regular Sunday Communion services, on the 3rd Sunday of the month. Our monthly Evening Prayer service will be lay-led.

The church dates back to Norman times and features an original Norman font, a timber framed bellcote and a shingled spire, and some of the houses in the village, which include several thatched cottages, are more than 600 years old.

We are now registered with the Parish Giving Scheme which enables supporters of St Mary's, Bedstone, to donate regularly, or as a one-off donation. www.parishgiving.org.uk Parish code 180618299

The parish of Bedstone is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Hereford’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.

Llanfair Waterdine: St Mary

Chapel Lawn: St Mary

Welcome to St Mary's church, Chapel Lawn. Our services are held at 9.30am on the first and third Sundays of each month. Details elsewhere on this web-page. Everyone is very welcome to any of our services and other events held throughout the year.