Welcome and Worship

Please Note: This web site is currently being redesigned and we hope to re-launch it during the summer of 2010.


Welcome to Saint Mary’s, Bridgwater. The church is located in the centre of Bridgwater, just behind the High Street, and serves the town centre and the western part of the town. It is one of the oldest and best known landmarks in Bridgwater, with a fascinating history. We welcome all who are searching for God, in a place where he has been encountered in his word and sacraments across many centuries.

Apart from worship, Saint Mary’s is being increasingly used as a community venue for concerts, recitals, award ceremonies and meetings. Local schools frequently request visits for history and religious projects; we host a monthly Age Concern Active Living Programme. On Thursdays tea, coffee, cakes, biscuits and simple lunches are served, with proceeds going to support Christian Aid.

Saint Mary's has easy wheel-chair access to most of the building, and a loop system to enhance hearing. We have a toilet accessible to everyone from inside the church. At present we are open on Sunday mornings, and Thursday mornings from 10.00am.

All services are open to everyone and you don't have to dress up in your "Sunday Best"!  As the principal Church of England church in Bridgwater, our worship is liturgical and we use established patterns of prayer and services to help us to come closer to the mystery of God and to be transformed into the likeness of Christ.

On every Sunday at 8.00am Holy Communion is celebrated, using the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.

At 9.30am our usual service is Parish Communion from the 2000 Common Worship provision. In this service, which lasts for about an hour or just under, we gather to celebrate our life in God, and God’s work in the world, made known to us through Jesus Christ. There are hymns old and new for everyone to sing, and after the service many people stay for a chat over refreshments.

We aim to provide a warm and welcoming church community, open to all. Six times year, instead of Parish Communion, we celebrate Holy Baptism at 9.30am and at these vibrant occasions we baptise both children and adults and welcome them into God’s worldwide family, the Church.

At 6.30pm, on most Sundays, the 1662 Book of Common Prayer is used at Evensong, with its resonant and beautiful words.

On Thursday morning at 11.00am Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer is celebrated in St George’s Chapel.

On the first Sunday each month Relay! our monthly informal service for young families takes place. It lasts for about half an hour and there is an activity afterwards for the children, and refreshments.

At different times of the year the character of the services changes. The great celebrations of God’s decisive action in our world at Easter and Christmas are preceded by the more reflective seasons of Lent and Advent.

Whether you are a visitor to our town, an historian, curious about the Christian faith, looking for a way by which to lead your life, or in need of rest and refreshment, we hope you will experience both a warm welcome and an encounter with God.

Summary of Services

8.00 am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer, 1662)
9.30 am Parish Communion (Common Worship Order 1)
6.30 pm Evensong (Book of Common Prayer, 1662).
Every Thursday 11.00 am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer, 1662)
First Sunday of every month at 11.15 am Relay! - an informal service for young children and families.