About Us
This is the Parish Church of Claydon and Barham and is world famous as the home of one of Henry Moore's sculptures of the Madonna and Child. This life size sculpture is a war memorial for the men of Claydon who fell in the 2nd World War. The Church is one of the three Churches in the Claydon Benefice covering Claydon, Barham, Gt Blakenham and Henley. The Claydon Benefice is in the Gipping Valley Deanery in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. We
The villages of Claydon and Barham are separate civil parishes but became United Benefice 1974. St Peter's in Claydon was closed for regular public worship in 1975 and St Mary's became the Parish Church of Claydon & Barham. In 1977 the Church in Claydon was declared redundant and St Mary's became the Church of St Mary and St Peter. St Peter's Claydon is now maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust.
The Church today is an active Church with an Electoral Roll in the region of 90 and the main Sunday service usually has an attendance of between 30 and 40. We actively encourage children and young people with groups targeted at their needs.
Everyone, whatever their age, is most welcome at Claydon and Barham Church. For the normal service pattern click on Services and Events on the left. For a full list of services this month in the Benefice visit www.claydonchurches.com. You are particularly advised to check the Latest Weekly News Sheet if you are planning to attend a particular service at Barham Church.
We have ample car parking and attached to the Church is a modern hall which is available for hire during the week.
Rev'd Tracey Caswell was licensed as our Rector on 26th February 2024 a near 4-year vacancy Within the Benefice we are very fortunate to have a ministry team of 1 non-stipendiary priest Rev'd Cathy Austin, a retired priest Rev'd Jenny Ablett and two readers Liz Stone and Chris Farley. We also enjoy the services of two other experienced retired priests - Rev'd Canon Bruce Wakling & Rev'd Canon Bernie Rose.
The Church building is well maintained with finances from grants, legacies, donations and 3 major fundraising events each year. Our policy is that finance for the mission of the Church should be provided by those who actively support this work but we seek support for maintaining the heritage in the building from the wider population. We believe that fundraising events have an important role to play in the social life of the Church and are also an important outreach to the wider community and above all they should be fun.
Contacts
Rector Rev'd Tracey Caswell 07742 999633 email [email protected]
Churchwardens Jonathan Dedman 01473 830890 and Robert Clark 07894 439252
Secretary Beverley Sutton 01473 511388
Treasurer Roger Colthorpe 01473 821079
For further Information visit the links listed on the right.