About Us
A friendly and welcoming village congregation, meeting in an impressive and beautiful 13th century building with Saxon origins.
Children are always welcome, and there is a play area at the back of church.
St Mary's was comprehensively restored in 1848, reusing most of the original stones and arches. Interesting features include grave crosses inserted in the porch walls; ornamental caps on two of the pillars; heraldic banners; the sandstone body of a legless knight and other monuments.
The church is generally open during daylight hours.
We are always delighted to hear from couples considering a church wedding or families/people considering baptism. Please feel free to contact us if you are thinking of getting married here, or by emailing [email protected]
We are committed to Safeguarding and our Parish Safeguarding Officers are: Revd Rachel Scheffer 01661 886853 and Eddie Crabtree 01661 886961. We have adopted the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy - this will be available on our website when it has been finished but the text of the policy is:
The Parish of Holy Trinity, Matfen and St. Mary the Virgin Stamfordham SAFEGUARDING POLICY
PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH
The following policy was agreed by the Parochial Church Council’s (PCC) March 2019.
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:
• Promoting a safer environment and culture.
• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and
vulnerable adults within the church.
• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected
persons.
• Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
The Parish will:
• Create a safe and caring place for all.
• Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy
and procedures.
• Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have
the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
• Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in
the name of the parish.
• Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding
concerns or support needs.
• Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
• Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of
Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies
immediately.
• Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
• Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst
maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
• Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are
reviewed annually.
• Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
These churches have appointed Carole Alcock (Matfen), Jennifer Telford (Matfen) and Eddie Crabtree (Stamfordham) as the Parish Safeguarding Officer
Incumbent – Revd Rachel Louise Squires SCHEFFER
Churchwardens – Struan Wilson (Matfen), Carole Alcock (Matfen), Peter Lombard (Stamfordham) and June Crabtree (Stamfordham).
Date: March 2019
More safeguarding information can be found here: https://www.newcastle.anglican.org/safeguarding/