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. If you need to specifically check whether the church is open please message us- or email Mthr. Victoria on [email protected].  We are also open for Sunday worship, and worship on other feasts, at least 15 minutes before the start of worship. 


Parking? 

Parking is limited, but there are a few spaces immediately outside the church door - and if you contact us, we will reserve you a space. We have planning permission granted to create some disabled and easy access parking spaces, but this work will not commence until the Summer 2025. 


Public Transport?

Halesowen bus station is a 15 minute, half a mile walk, steeply up-hill to S Margaret's Church - there are good links from Merry Hill and Birmingham and the surrounding area.

The number 192 and 142A buses pass the church and stop at the Co-op, about 0.3 miles to travel slightly uphill to the church on the other side of the road. There are pavements to both sides of the road, and a pelican crossing. 

How do I access the building? 

We have temporary ramp access to the main entrance door for all main worship, as there is one step to the main door, but are currently unable to leave this out at other times. We are in the middle of gaining necessary planning permissions for a permanent ramp entrance that will give us entirely level access for worship (we hope this will be complete by August 2025). If for some reason you arrive when there are people in church and the ramp is not present there is a doorbell for you to ring to gain access. This is situated low down on the right hand side, before the step, and has a notice to draw attention to it. 

Between the main door and the church is a small porch (about ten paces) and then there are heavy wooden doors to the interior of the church which are usually open for worship, but are closed in the winter and during the day when there is no worship except in high summer - again if this is the case during worship and you need assistance, please use the doorbell at the front entrance of the church. This is situated low down on the right hand side, before the ramp or step into the church, and has a notice to draw attention to it . Unfortunately during the week outside worship, times there is no staff to open this door. If this is a problem please message us or email [email protected] in advance and we can arrange for someone to be present to meet you.  There is planning permission granted and work will start soon to install an automatic door. We anticipate this being complete by June 2025.

Inside the church the flooring is hardwood throughout. There is entirely level access to toilets and main worship area. There are some steps into the higher part of the church at the very top of the building, and to a side Lady Chapel at the top right hand side. Both these sets of steps have handrails, but we do not hold worship in areas of the church with steps. 

We have a nave altar, and at communion 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 wide aisle space. 

Do you have a toilet?

We have a toilet to the rear of the church, and facility for baby change. There is a toilet step and seat for small children. It is level access, but not a fully disabled toilet suitable for wheelchair access. We do not have disposal facilities for sharps or medical waste. 

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 receiving the wafer or wine - just keep your hands folded in to yourself. We offer communion to all who have been baptised in the Christian faith. 

We have a nave altar, (altar in the main body of the church) and at communion 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 wide aisle space. 

Do you use incense? 

We use a light amount of incense in Sunday mass and on feast days. We do not use incense on Wednesdays or on Tuesday mornings. We ring small hand bells briefly at communion (except on Tuesday mornings) during the Eucharistic prayer except during Lent. 

How long does worship last? 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 Wednesday and 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 have a hearing loop? How shall 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 right and left of church, but are also announced verbally in worship. We preach and read from the lectern at the right hand side. 


Screens and flashing lights?

We do not use screens in worship. There are never flashing lights in worship, except at our Crib Service (4pm on Christmas Eve, when Children may have flashing light wands during the worship). There are never flashing lights in our social events. Screens are used at our quiz nights, to enable everyone to see the questions if they struggle to hear, and for powerpoints for our Talk Series. For information on our social events, see our 'worship and events' tab


What is the seating like? 

We have chairs, which are upholstered and comfortable, but do not have arms. These are flexible and can be easily moved. There are smaller spaces of chairs in the side aisles for those who may like a little space around them. 


Quiet space? 

There is a quiet space in the Lady Chapel (only accessible by a short number of steep steps, with a handrail) for anyone who needs quiet space. 

Half way down the church is a quiet space to light candles, complete with snuggly blankets if you want to be still. Please feel free to take these blankets to use elsewhere in the church if you are cold. There are also a lot more in the lady chapel (only accessible by steps, but with a handrail) 

What about families and children? or those who might want time-out?

There is a children's play area to the side near the front of the church, for young children with toys and books, and a colouring table for older children / anyone who might find that space useful - also a jigsaw table for anyone who might find some time out helpful. 


Will I be warm enough? 

We have electric overhead heaters and during worship the church is warm enough for no coat / light coats for most people, but do feel free to use our blankets. Outside worship times the church is not heated, and may be quite cold. 


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 entirely nut-free. We have de-caff tea and coffee available at all times. 

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 do not have fresh flowers in church except for Christmas, Easter (not Lent) and our Patronal Festival (nearest weekend to July 18th) 

Pets and assistance animals? 

Dogs are allowed, if on leads or harnesses. Other animals are allowed if they are registered assistance animals. 

Who is welcome?

We are affiliated to inclusive Church (please see the tab for further information) - all are welcome, regardless of gender, orientation, disability, race, class, background, faith, or any other lived experience. 

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 further questions? 

Please let us know if you have any further questions - email [email protected]

Please also let us know if you have attended S. Margaret's and found anything helpful - or have any gentle suggestions for us to be more welcoming!