Facilities and features
Accessibility
A toilet is available in the neighbouring vestry hall
There is a ramped entrance into the Church through the main entrance (north door).
We have a hearing loop.
We aim to make large print copies of our service booklets available.
Assistance dogs are welcome
Our Building
There are 18 beautiful stained glass windows in St Mary's
Henbury Church is a Grade II * Listed Building
Music and Worship
St Mary's Henbury is always looking for new ringers - adults or young people (young people must attend with a parent and should be at least 12 years old - we have a Child Protection Policy). No previous experience necessary - training will be given.
Ringing is about technique and requires little strength or effort although a ringer is controlling a bell weighing over a ton. What is required of a ringer is an ability to count, a sense of rhythm and a willingness to ring occasionally for Sunday services as well as weddings and to join us for practice nights (Wednesdays 7.30-9.00pm) whenever possible. Ringing helps keep you fit and provides good mental exercise - ringers often continue ringing into their '80s and beyond. Bell ringing is a social activity and is all about being part of a team - there are no soloists. Contact [email protected] for further information.
Our Organist, James Baker, normally gives an informal, light-hearted organ recital once a year, usually on a Sunday afternoon in mid-June. His aim is to keep the concert light with an hour’s music of familiar pieces from musicals, television, popular music and the best of the great classics.
Our pipe organ
Director of Music, James Baker, on the St Mary's pipe organ
If you are interested in pipe organs, I'd love to tell you about ours: it has over 1250 pipes and is an absolute joy to play. It was originally built for Vowles for the west gallery in the tower. The organ was rebuilt and enlarged by Percy Daniel & Co Ltd in the 1950s and moved to its current position in the north side of the chancel, acquiring a detached console and numerous tonal additions. The organ was overhauled and enlarged by Clevedon Organ Ltd in 2008. This work included re-wiring and installing solid state transition and capture systems, adding two extra stops and re-leathering the bellows and primary actions.
Message from our Organist - James Baker
I joined St Mary's as organist and director of music in October 2012 and feel privileged to lead such a friendly, supportive and committed group of Christians in the choir. Our aim is to provide uplifting music that encourages the congregation and reflects the words of the songs. For special occasions such as Easter and Christmas, there is an extended choir of twenty of more. We are keen to welcome anyone into the choir, whether they can commit to every week like the core choir of ten singers or simply turn up when they are able to. The choir can benefit from full-time and part-time choir members who are able to help lead our worship on Sunday mornings.
The choir meets dressed in casual clothes at 9.15am each Sunday morning for a fast-paced, fun and productive thirty-minute rehearsal ending with prayers for each other before the 10am service. All choir members are encouraged to sing short solos from time to time.
Music at St Mary’s
Some of the responses are sung at St Mary's and our choir aims to give a clear lead to the congregation. If you visit St Mary’s, I do hope you will come and speak to me at the end of the service - come and find me at the pipe organ. It is always good to meet new people, especially musical people!
I'd be delighted to tell you more about the variety of Christian music we use at St Mary's: we like to hold on to the great traditional hymns with their solid theology and inspirational tunes, whilst at the same time introduce the best of the modern hymns that are often heard on the BBC’s Songs of Praise. We try to keep the best of the old traditions whilst adopting the best of some of the more modern traditions. We are keen to increase the size of the choir, so if you enjoy singing please see our organist James or simply turn up to choir practice at 9.15am one Sunday. There is no need to read music and you don't have to commit to every Sunday.
Groups, Courses and Activities
Junior Church meets on Sundays during term time in the Village Hall from 9.55-10.45am – then the children come over to Church for the last part of the service. Please contact the church office for more information.
REACHING OUT IN LOVE AND SERVICE The Mothers' Union is an international Christian membership charity that aims to demonstrate the Christian faith in action through the transformation of communities worldwide.
Here at St Mary’s we are a small group that meets in members' own homes for a programme of talks and activities. Meetings normally take place on the third Wednesday or Thursday of the month at 7.30pm, each beginning with a time of shared prayer.
We also organise outings and theatre trips. In the past few years we have visited Wells and Dewstow Gardens (in Monmouthshire) and enjoyed “Jesus Christ Superstar” ,“West Side Story” and “Annie get your Gun” at the theatre.
In May we produce a “Poverty lunch” for the congregation on Christian Aid Sunday. Our Harvest Festival lunch of shepherd's pie, chicken casserole and cauliflower cheese followed by a fantastic selection of puddings was much appreciated in October.
Visitors are always welcome at our meetings and we would like to encourage new members to join. If you are interested and would like to find out more then please contact our Administrator in the Parish Office. For more information about the work of Mothers' Union both nationally and overseas please visit www.mothersunion.org or www.mu-bristol.co.uk.
Help for Visitors
The Church is normally open on Bank Holiday Mondays when the Village Hall serves Cream Teas in the garden.
Other Features
St Mary's supports the Foodbank on a regular basis - and is committed to collecting food items during the month of January each year.
St Mary's is an inclusive church and we are delighted to offer blessings for same sex couples within one of our services. We hope one day that 'the rules' will be flexible enough to allow us to offer more for same sex couples.