Saint Mary's

The Ancient Parish Church of Prittlewell

Welcome to all those who live in the area and would like to come to Saint Mary's - an Anglican (Church of England) church.
Almost everyone is nervous or apprehensive when going to a new church for the first time or returning after a long absence, and so this page is intended to help. There are several options that could be considered:

You could visit the church at any time during the morning or afternoon and, provided there isn't a service going on, you would be free to look around the church or just quietly sit for a while. A steward is there to help should you have any questions, otherwise you will be left in peace to contemplate the building and wonder if you might like to attend one of the services here. The church is normally open for visiting Tuesday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm. (10am to 2 pm during August).

You might like to attend an Evensong Service (Sundays at 6.30pm). Evensong consists of hymns and prayers and a sermon. The music and hymns are traditional English and are led by the choir. There is no Holy Communion at Evensong (see below), and the service lasts about an hour.

You might choose to attend a Family Eucharist Service (Sundays at 9.30am). This is the main service of the day, and a creche is available. It is a service of hymns led by the organ and choir and prayers and a sermon. Towards the end of the service the congregation is invited to go to the altar rail to receive the bread and wine of Holy Communion (for those who have been 'Confirmed') or to receive a Blessing. Those who wish to receive a Blessing are asked to carry their hymn book to the altar rail as a sign to the Priest. The Family Service lasts about one and a half hours.

Or you could attend an early Morning Communion Service (Sundays at 8 am and Wednesdays at 10.30 am). This is a said communion service - no music or hymns. It lasts just less than an hour.

If you come to any of these services, tell one of the people handing out the service books that you are new to this church and they will give you any help you may require.

Those who have not been baptised (Christened) are still very welcome to attend the services. Many adults are baptised at St. Mary's and there's no age limit, from babes in arms to the very old - baptism is open to all.

Those who are baptised into the Church of England have the opportunity to become 'Confirmed' at a special service conducted by the Bishop. This normally follows a course of instruction held by one of the clergy. All those who are confirmed may take the bread and wine of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) at St. Mary's or at any other Anglican church.

So, there are several choices. At the very least you might consider just calling in one day and sitting quietly for a few minutes, remembering that prayers have been said in this beautiful place for more than a thousand years.