When is the Church open?
The church is open and unlocked every weekday during daylight hours (times vary), so please do come and familiarise yourself with the building any time if that may be helpful. We are also open on Sundays and at other times for worship at least fifteen minutes before the start of worship. Please see our 'worship and events tab' for more details of worship ahead.
Parking?
Parking is limited, but there are a few spaces, immediately outside the doors, especially for Blue Badge holders - and if you contact us, we will reserve you a space. There is also parking at the end of the road, which has no parking charge - (Homer Hill Park car park on the junction of Slade Road and Homer Hill Road). This is a 300 yard level walk to the church entrance. You are also welcome to drop people off and then go to park your car.
Public Transport?
Buses numbers 18, 9, and 002 pass nearby.
Number 9 drops off at Colley Gate and then a 10 minute walk.
Number 18 adrops off on Colley Lane.
Number 002 drops off on Colley Lane by the library and it is 260 yards from there with gentle uphill and downhill slopes, and roads to cross, which have zebra or pelican crossings.
There are pavements to all the roads
We have permanent ramp access to the church leading to a side door into a carpeted porch which will be open when the church is open. There are also steps leading to a front entrance, which have a handrail on both sides.
If entering through the side door, and into the porch, the porch is about ten paces long and then there are heavy wooden and glass doors to the interior of the church, which are closed during the day when the church is open. They are either open, or a welcomer will be near them in times of worship to give assistance if needed. Entering into the church the floor changes to hard concrete throughout the interior.
Inside the church there is entirely level access to our toilet, and around the main worship area for most Sundays and mid week worship - we use a nave altar (altar in the main body of the church), or side chapel altar. On third Sundays of every month, and the Thursday of Holy Week we use the High Altar, which has several steps and no handrail.
At communion on a Sunday people queue up the central aisle and receive without kneeling. We are able to bring communion to anyone at the start of administration who would find coming forward to the front challenging. Getting a wheelchair around church is relatively easy using our aisle space, and wheelchair users are welcome to place wheelchairs in front of the front pew, or in the side aisles. Unfortunately we have wooden pews which do not allow us flexible seating. Pushchairs are similarly welcome, or can be folded and left near the back of the church.
We have a gallery, accessed from the porch via a door immediately to the left as you enter, which is only accessible by a steep flight of narrow stairs, with a handrail. The seating in the gallery is fixed pews, and the floor is wooden, but uneven. There is a low balcony before a deep drop to the church. We strongly recommend you do not use the gallery if you have any mobility or vision challenges.
Do I have to stand all the time?
We do not expect people to stand and sit during worship, but there is a general tradition of doing so, which is not followed by everyone in church - you are welcome to stand throughout, or to remain seated throughout, and to take part however you feel comfortable.
What happens at Communion?
We have gluten free wafers available at all communion services - just ask the priest at administration, or let the welcomers know if you prefer to say in advance. We do not have non-alcoholic wine, but it is fine to not receive the wine if you would prefer. We use the common cup, and we do not allow intinction ('dunking' the wafer into the chalice/cup). You do not have to receive communion at all. You are also very welcome to come forward for a blessing, instead of sharing in the wafers or wine - just keep your hands folded in to yourself. We offer communion to all who have been baptised in the Christian faith.
At communion on a Sunday people queue up the central aisle and receive without kneeling. We are able to bring communion to anyone at the start of administration who would find coming forward to the front challenging. Getting a wheelchair around church is relatively easy using our aisle space, and wheelchair users are welcome to place wheelchairs in front of the front pew, or in the side aisles. Unfortunately we have wooden pews which do not allow us flexible seating.
How long is the worship? What happens if I am late or need to leave?
Our usual worship for a Holy Communion on a Sunday lasts about 1 hr 5 minutes. On a Tuesday the Communion worship is about 35 minutes. Festival worship may vary in length. We do not mind at all if you arrive late or leave early.
Do you use incense?
We use a light amount of incense at Epiphany (6th January or the nearest Sunday), on S Peter's Day (Sunday nearest to June 29th), and at 'Midnight Mass' (Christmas Eve 10pm).
Is there a toilet?
We have a toilet to the rear of the church. There is a toilet step and seat for small children. It is level access, but not a fully disabled toilet suitable for wheelchair access, nor a raised height toilet. We do not have facilities for disposal of sharps or medical waste. We are raising money to improve our toilet facilities.
What is the seating like?
Seating is fixed wooden pews, which are accessed via one small step to each pew. Cushions are available on request.
Do you have a hearing loop? How will I understand?
We have a fully functional hearing loop. Worship is led in English.
For any ease of access, including hearing, we send out the text of our homilies by email, and they are published in advance on the 'recent homilies and sermons' tab on this page.
Do you have large print ? Dyslexia friendly?
We often have large print orders of services, but are working on this to make this a complete set throughout the year. We always have large print hymn books. We have music copies of our hymnody available. We print our orders of service on cream paper in dyslexia friendly font (usually Gill Sans MT, or Calibri, occasionally Segoi). It is a full text of the entire service, so you shouldn't get lost and wonder what is happening next, but people are always happy to help should you need a helping hand. Hymn numbers are displayed on the hymn board at the front left of church, but are also announced verbally in worship.
Screens and lights
We do not use screens in worship usually, but they may be used on Good Friday, or to show a welcome screen at a Baptism service, or perhaps occasionally at other times. There are never flashing lights in worship or our social events. Screens are used at our organ concerts, to enable everyone to see the organ and organist, and occasionally in other social events. For information on our social events, see our 'worship and events' tab
Quiet spaces...
There is a quiet space in front of the side chapel for anyone who needs quiet space, but it is visible from the main body of the church, and not in any way separate.
How do you welcome children and families?
There is a children's play area to the side near the front of the church, for young children, equipped with toys and books. We have a Sunday school most Sundays with fully trained and safeguarding accredited leaders. This takes place in a separate room to the side at the front of church. You are welcome to send your children and remain in church, or to go with them into Sunday school. Children are equally welcome to remain in church throughout worship
Is it warm?
We have heaters and during worship the church is warm enough for no coat / light coats for most people. Outside worship times the church is not heated, and may be a little cold.
Is there online worship?
Online worship is offered every Sunday evening on zoom and Wednesday evening on livestream facebook - see the services and events tab on this page.
Food and allergies?
We have a no-nut policy, but cannot guarantee our premises are completely nut free. At our social events and worship we try as often as we can to provide gluten free food, vegetarian options, and de-caff tea and coffee.
There are often fresh flowers in church, please let us know if this is likely to be a problem.
What about pets and assistance animals?
Dogs are allowed, if on leads or harnesses. Other pets are allowed if they are registered assistance animals.
we are affiliated to inclusive Church (please see the relevant page) - all are welcome, regardless of gender, orientation, disability, race, class, background, faith, or any other lived experience.
Who is welcome? How should I dress?
We have no dress code, all are welcome.
You do not have to be a 'good and holy person' - or to be a regular church goer, or ever have been to church before. Just come... be who you are, what you are, with the story you bring... and know God loves you, and both God and we are delighted to see you.
Any other Questions or comments?
Please let us know if you have any further questions - email [email protected]
please also let us know if you have attended S. Peter's and found anything helpful - or have any gentle suggestions for us to be more welcoming!