St Mary's
Snettisham
YOUR LOCAL CHURCH WHERE ALL ARE WELCOME
St Mary's Church, Old Church Rd, Snettisham, King's Lynn PE31 7NA
ABOUT US
Welcome to St Mary's Church in Snettisham
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St Mary's is a friendly, welcoming Christian church determined to encourage the Lord's work in this part of Norfolk. As well as being a centre for Christian worship for over 700 years, the church provides a safe haven for our community and regularly holds concerts, recitals and other events which attract both church and village alike.
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For any enquiries please contact:
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Church Wardens
Andy Gee
Tel: 07786 330980
​Sarah Keen
Tel: 01485 544374
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Our Safeguarding Commitment
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We are committed to Safeguarding Children, Young People, Victims/perpetrators of Domestic Abuse and Vulnerable Adults. The PCC has adopted the Church of England’s policies and best practice on safeguarding.
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OUR CHURCH
A brief history of St Mary's
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"The most exciting
14th Century decorated church in Norfolk"
Nikolaus Pevsner
Describe your image
St Mary's church with its 175 foot tall tower and spire, sits on high ground above the village of Snettisham, West Norfolk, and was often a landmark for mariners navigating The Wash.
The present church was built in 1340, but a previous church existed and Snettisham village was built around it. The Black Death sadly destroyed the original village.
St Mary's church was regarded by architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner as the best "decorated" church in East Anglia. Its stone spire, soaring 175 feet, is a rarity in Norfolk, with only the Cathedral and three other churches having one.
The stained-glass windows alone are spectacular with an equally impressive Medieval pulpit and eagle lectern. Various hatchments decorate the vestry and, for such a small Norfolk village, St Mary's dominates the skyline.
As well as being a centre for Christian worship for over 700 years, the church provides a safe haven from the busyness of 21st Century life - and regularly holds concerts, recitals and other events which attract both church and village alike.
OUR COMMUNITY
Our vision is to love God and love people
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CONNECT WITH US
Friends of St Mary's was set up for those with or without faith who are interested in supporting and protecting the church building itself and the significant role it plays within the village and the wider community.
@fosmsnettisham
Click the Facebook icon to view and follow the Friends of St Mary's Facebook page
FOLLOW US
Follow our Facebook Page for the latest news and events at St Marys.
@snettishamstmaryschurch
Click the Facebook icon to view our full Facebook page
"St.Mary's is a church that passionately worships God, reaches out to others and positively impacts our community"
Rev, Dan Tansey
ST.MARY'S NEWS
What has been going on at St Mary's?
CHRISTMAS AT ST.MARY'S!
The team at St Mary’s is really looking forward to welcoming you all to celebrate Christmas together again this year! All the familiar church services and events will take place as usual. Park Farm will be bringing the Live Nativity to the church on 15th December, and this will be followed by a Nativity Service of song and celebration.
Christingle will start half an hour later than last year (at 4:30pm) so we can be sure it’s dark enough in church for the candles to truly shine. Midnight Holy Communion will also start a little later, at 11:30pm, so we can be sure that the bread and wine are shared after the stroke of midnight.
We’re also really looking forward to welcoming the Uniformed Groups for their Carol Service on 2nd December (6pm), and the primary school for their Nativity Service on 19th December at 1pm.
All our special events and services this Christmas:
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Mon 2nd Dec 6pm - Uniform Groups' Carol Service
Sat 7th Dec 4pm - Church Illuminations Switch On
Sun 15th Dec 1pm - Live Nativity
Sun 15th Dec 3pm - Nativity Service
Fri 20th Dec 7pm - Carols in the Village
Sun 22nd Dec 10am - Carol Service
Tues 24th Dec 4.30pm - Family Christingle Service
Tues 24th Dec 11.30pm - Midnight Holy Communion
Weds 25th Dec 10am - Christmas Day Holy Communion
CAROLS IN THE VILLAGE - Friday 20th December
Carols in the village continues to be immensely popular, with enquiries coming in from as far afield as London! We will gather outside the Coop at 7pm on Friday 20th December, and follow a circuit around the village. We will go from the Coop to the driveway of The Close care home, then to the village square, then the Rose & Crown, and finishing off at the Queen Victoria. Head-torches are recommended, and everyone is welcome!
THE ST.MARYS CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATIONS
The annual church illuminations almost didn;t happen this year! It’s become increasingly expensive to put this beautiful display on each year, and we didn’t think it would be possible to make it happen this time around. But thanks to the efforts of Andy Gee in recruiting support, and the generosity of a small number of donors, we are able to bless the village with another spectacular display this year.
The illuminations will be switched on at 4pm on 7th December, and will light up the skies until New Year.
SUPPERS & LUNCHES
Thursdays & Fridays
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We continue to host shared meals, cleverly named Thursday Suppers (7pm at Park Farm Visitor’s Centre) and Friday Lunches (12:30pm at the Church Hall, Station Rd). These gatherings are a great opportunity to meet new people and also include some light teaching and discussion of Christian life.
These are free events, and any donations made will go to support the Hunstanton & District Food Bank. We’ve raised over £3,000 for this local cause.​ Everyone is welcome!
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​OUR SERVICES
Living the Life
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SUNDAY WORSHIP
Our Sunday Services at St Mary's start at 10am
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These are very relaxed and accessible services for everyone, and the regular congregation are always welcoming and friendly.
We also now have an Activity Space for Children and creative types to use during services.
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Everyone who’s been Christened is welcome to come forward for bread and wine at Holy Communion or for a simple blessing if you’d prefer. Or you don’t have to come forward at all if you don’t want to! We’re also happy to bring the bread and wine to you if it’s difficult for you to get up to the front of the church.
Morning Worship is a regular church service but without Holy Communion. Tea, coffee and cakes are served after every service!
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We have also added an extra BCP Holy Communion service to each month, held at 8.30am on the first and third
We also meet for Coffee & Prayers on Friday mornings. Some come along and chatter away, and others sit quietly and enjoy praying with others in their own way.
Below is a timetable of everything that’s coming up at St Mary’s between now and the end of February 2024. Everyone is welcome at every service and event!
Sunday 1st December
8.30am
BCP Holy Communion
St Mary's Church
Sunday 1st December
10.00am
Holy Communion (CW)
St Mary's Church
Monday 2nd December
6.00pm
Uniform Groups' Carol Service
St Mary's Church
Sunday 8th December
10.00am
Morning Worship
St Mary's Church
Sunday 15th December
8.30am
BCP Holy Communion
St Mary's Church
Sunday 15th December
10.00am
Holy Communion (CW)
St Mary's Church
Sunday 15th December
1.00pm
Live Nativity
St Mary's Church
Sunday 15th December
3.00pm
Nativity Service
St Mary's Church
Sunday 22nd December
10.00am
Carol Service
St Mary's Church
Tuesday 24th December
4.30pm
Family Christingle Service
St Mary's Church
Tuesday 24th December
11.30pm
Midnight Holy Communion
St Mary's Church
Wednesday 25th December
10.00am
Christmas Day Holy Communion
St Mary's Church
Sunday 5th January
8.30am
BCP Holy Communion
St Mary's Church
Sunday 5th January
10.00am
Holy Communion (CW)
St Mary's Church
Sunday 12th January
10.00am
Holy Communion (CW)
St Mary's Church
Sunday 19th January
8.30am
BCP Holy Communion
St Mary's Church
Sunday 19th January
10.00am
Holy Communion (CW)
St Mary's Church
Sunday 26th August
10.00am
Morning Worship
St Mary's Church
Sunday 2nd February
8.30am
BCP Holy Communion
St Mary's Church
Sunday 2nd February
10.00am
Holy Communion (CW)
St Mary's Church
Sunday 9th February
10.00am
Holy Communion (CW)
St Mary's Church
Sunday 16th February
8.30am
BCP Holy Communion
St Mary's Church
Sunday 16th February
10.00am
Holy Communion (CW)
St Mary's Church
Sunday 23rd February
10.00am
Morning Worship
St Mary's Church
OTHER SERVICES & CEREMONIES
We are here for you
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CONTACT US
If you have any enquiries please don't hesitate to contact us:
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Church Warden
Sarah Keen
Tel: 01485 544374
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Church Warden and Safeguarding Officer
Andy Gee
Mobile: 07786 330980
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Privacy Policy
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FIND US
At the heart of the village
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St Mary's Church
Old Church Rd
Snettisham
King's Lynn
Norfolk
PE31 7NA
Limited parking on road outside church
Wheelchair access
We look forward to welcoming you to St Mary's Church