About Us

St Mary and All Saints Church is in a Local Ecumenical Partnership with the Methodist Church and has regular Church of England and Methodist led services to which all are welcome.

Safeguarding Statement

St Mary and All Saints Church, Fillongley is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults of all ages and expects all of its members to share this commitment by complying with the current Coventry Safeguarding Policy implemented in March 2018.

Safeguarding Officer: Anne Woodley 02476 268055 [email protected]

For more information see: https://fillongleychurch.wordpress.com/safeguarding/

About the Church

Fillongley Church is a beautiful 13th Century sandstone building, with a traditional Bell Tower and 8 bells. The church interior comprises seating for approximately 200 people, with traditional Choir stalls leading to an impressive Altar, and a Lady Chapel alongside. The Meeting Room, added some 40 years ago, has kitchen and toilet facilities alongside.

In 2019, the Church celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Local Ecumenical Partnership between the Anglican and the Methodist Churches. We are immensely proud of what has been achieved in our community to unite the Christians from both traditions in such a positive and forward looking way. Our partnership has been in existence for the longest period of time of any in the Diocese and the Circuit, and we regard it as a shining example of how to work together for the good of all.

In 1976, the Methodist Chapel built in 1893 by the efforts of a Birmingham businessman living in Fillongley needed a new roof. The Methodist community did not have the monies available and the Coventry Circuit could not justify advancing the expenditure so a decision was made reluctantly to close the Chapel. Instead of moving to another Methodist Church the members who had a close relationship with their Anglican friends approached the Vicar, Revd Martin Loft and discussions began about forming a local ecumenical partnership. Eventually, in January 1979 a commissioning service was held led by The Bishop of Coventry and the Chairman of the Methodist Birmingham District, at which a formal agreement under the Sharing of Church Buildings Act was signed. The agreement allowed for Methodists to use the Church for Methodist services but we soon found this was too restricted and decided we wanted to have united services with leaders of both denominations officiating and to have a common purse, something which was strictly not allowed under the Sharing agreement. We were breaking new ground. This was so successful that we adopted “Anglicans and Methodists in Unity “as our mission statement. The Methodist Chapel and caretaker’s cottage were sold and some of the proceeds used for the purchase of a new organ and the building of theChurch Meeting room.