Services
There’s a Service for everyone at St Mary’s. On Sunday mornings at 9.30am we gather for Holy Communion and Celtic Services, and on certain Sundays of the month there’s a quieter Said Service at 8am. Most Sundays, Encounter follows at 11.15am, our more relaxed, smaller Service. Whether you’re new to church, coming back after time away or one of our regulars, there’s a place for you. Visit our Services page for dates and times.
Events and News
- 🕯 All Souls Service
Join us at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, at 9.30am on Sunday 25 October to remember and give thanks for those we love but see no longer. - Lundy and Its Wildlife: A Talk by Carolyn Butler
Join us in church on Tuesday 20 October at 2.30pm for a talk by Carolyn Butler on Lundy and its wildlife. All welcome. - Celtic Communion and Junior Church — Sunday 18 October
Join us at 9.30am on Sunday 18 October for Celtic Communion, a reflective service with a creation theme, with our Treblemakers singing and Junior Church for children. - Encounter Is Back This Sunday — Sunday 18 October
It’s been two weeks since our last Encounter, and we’ve missed you! Join us at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, at 11.15am on Sunday 18 October, with coffee from 10.45am. - 🕊 Remembrance Sunday Service
Join us at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, at 11.30am on Sunday 8 November to honour those who gave their lives and to pray for peace. - 🕊️ A Small Box. A Safe Home. A Future in Flight. 🕊️
High above us, in the bell tower of St Mary’s Church, something rather special has taken place. Nest boxes have now been installed to provide… Read more: 🕊️ A Small Box. A Safe Home. A Future in Flight. 🕊️ - 🔔 Could You Be Our Next Bell Ringer? 🔔
The sound of church bells has called people to worship for centuries — and we’re looking for new ringers to help keep that tradition alive… Read more: 🔔 Could You Be Our Next Bell Ringer? 🔔 - ✨ One link. All our church online. ✨
We’ve brought everything together in one place to make it easier for you to stay connected with what’s happening in our church family. Through our… Read more: ✨ One link. All our church online. ✨ - 🌿 St Mary’s Charity Shop – Online
Did you know you can support St Mary’s Church simply by shopping online? We sell donated items through Vinted and eBay, turning pre-loved treasures into… Read more: 🌿 St Mary’s Charity Shop – Online - 🌿 Reflections – A Gentle Space for Those Who Are Grieving 🌿
Losing someone we love can leave a space in our lives that feels very quiet and sometimes overwhelming. Grief is different for everyone. For some… Read more: 🌿 Reflections – A Gentle Space for Those Who Are Grieving 🌿 - 🍽️✨ Friday Diner – Everyone Welcome ✨🍽️Every Friday | 11:15am–1:00pm📍 St Mary’s Church, Bideford
Looking for a warm, friendly place to enjoy a meal and good company? Our Friday Diner is open every week — a relaxed community lunch… Read more: 🍽️✨ Friday Diner – Everyone Welcome ✨🍽️Every Friday | 11:15am–1:00pm📍 St Mary’s Church, Bideford - Crypt Youth (11–16s)
🔥🎮 Crypt Youth (Ages 11–16) 🎶✨Every Thursday | 5:30–7:30 pm📍 St Mary’s Church, Bideford A brilliant space for young people to hang out, switch off… Read more: Crypt Youth (11–16s) - Crypt Youth (7–11s)
🎮✨ Crypt Youth (Ages 7–11) ✨🎨Every Thursday | 4:00–5:30 pm📍 St Mary’s Church, Bideford A fun, friendly space for children to chill out, make friends,… Read more: Crypt Youth (7–11s) - Messy Church at St Mary’s, Bideford 🌟
Messy Church is back at St Mary’s! Join us on the 4th Wednesday of every month for a fresh new way of experiencing church together… Read more: Messy Church at St Mary’s, Bideford 🌟
View all St Mary’s events
View all Children & Youth news and events
About Us
St Mary’s is the Parish Church of Bideford, but we’re more than a building. We’re a community church, here for everyone in the town and doing our best to bring comfort and support wherever it’s needed. Alongside our Sunday worship there’s Encounter, our more relaxed, smaller service, and Junior Church, where children can explore faith in their own way. Whoever you are and whatever you believe, you’re welcome. Come as you are. Read more about St Mary’s
St Mary’s Monthly Cafe
Join us on the 2nd Saturday of each month, from 10:30am to 12:30pm, for free tea, coffee, cake and good company. Our coffee mornings are relaxed and friendly — a chance to meet others, catch up with friends, make new connections and enjoy a chat in a welcoming community setting. Each month a different group hosts, from the Mothers’ Union to our clergy, raising money for a good cause, so while refreshments are free, donations are always gratefully welcomed. More about St Mary’s Café.
Donate
If you would like to support the work of St Mary’s, your generosity can make a real difference. Your donations help us continue our worship, outreach and ministry, care for our church family and serve the wider Bideford community. Every gift, large or small, is greatly appreciated. Find out how to donate.
Community Groups
As the Parish Church, St Mary’s is deeply entwined with the community it serves. We seek to be a place where everyone feels welcome and valued, offering worship, friendship, support and opportunities to come together, while playing an active part in the life and wellbeing of Bideford and its people. Find out more about its work here.
Church Family
We are blessed with a truly diverse church family, bringing together people of all ages, backgrounds and experiences, and there are lots of ways to get involved. Our groups and clubs include Crypt Youth for children and teenagers, Messy Church for families and the Mothers’ Union. However you’d like to connect, there’s a place for you to make friends and feel at home. Learn more about our church family.
Message of the Week
- Message of the Week — Seedtime and Harvest
On Sunday we gave thanks for the harvest. God’s promise in Genesis is that it keeps coming, year after year, and that gives us a reason to keep sharing it long after the Harvest Service is over.
Christenings
Are you thinking about a Christening at St Mary’s? Whether you are celebrating the arrival of a new baby or taking an important step in your family’s faith journey, you will be warmly welcomed. We would love to share in your special day and help make it a meaningful and joyful occasion for you and your family.
Weddings
Are you thinking about tying the knot with the person of your dreams? St Mary’s is a beautiful, spiritual and special place to begin your married life together. We would love to share in your joy, help you prepare for your wedding day and celebrate with you as you make this wonderful commitment to one another.
Funerals
In the saddest of times, St Mary’s is here to offer you and your loved ones care, compassion and support. We will listen to your needs with sensitivity and understanding, walking alongside you and your family as you remember, grieve and celebrate the life of someone special. Read about funerals at St Mary’s.
Thank you for visiting the website of St Mary’s Church. A very warm welcome to you!
At the heart of who we are is Jesus, ‘who came to bring life in all its fullness’. (John 10:10) This is a life of freedom, joy, and loving service. I feel honoured to be the Team leader of St Marys Church and this Mission Community where our vision is to ‘seek first the Kingdom of God’ (Matthew 6:33)
Whatever brings you to St Mary’s, whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are very welcome. Do come and ‘say hello’!
Every blessing, Reverend Claire Rose-Casemore (Team Rector)
Our appeal: equipping St Mary’s for the 21st century
Through Project Mustard Seed, we are making St Mary’s fit for the 21st century. Our new entrance is finished and the floors are level, and next come heating, chairs in place of the pews, a kitchen and a meeting space. Find out more about our appeal.
Safeguarding
St Mary’s takes the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults seriously and follows the Church of England’s national safeguarding policy. Sally Strutt, a Church Warden, is our Parish Safeguarding Representative and can be contacted in confidence at sally.strutt@stmaryschurchbideford.org.
