The Foundation of Lady Katherine Leveson at Temple Balsall  

Temple Balsall
St Mary's Church
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St Mary's Church, Temple BalsallThe Parish Church
of St Mary the Virgin

Parish Eucharist:
10 am each Sunday morning

Family Eucharist:
first Sunday of the month 10 am

St Mary's church is the second oldest element in the Foundation, originally built in the 14th century as a monastic chapel. more history . . .

The Revd Dr James WoodwardWith the establishment of the hospital of Lady Katherine Leveson in 1677, the church was restored and became the chapel of the community. It became the parish church of Temple Balsall in 1863.

The Vicar of the parish is the Master of the Foundation, The Revd Dr James Woodward. See People at St Mary's.

Our approach and style

In modern times, our church's style of worship and of pastoral work has settled into a liberal catholic Anglican pattern. This means that we believe that

  • Christians have a responsibility to society at large
  • We must allow our faith to respond to changing times
  • Prayer and Worship are central to our quest for God

Our worship acknowledges the centrality of the Eucharist in our liturgical life and we celebrate holy communion at 10am every Sunday (see Worship at St Mary's). We attract a lively and friendly congregation, both families and individuals from the local area and further afield. We are concerned to meet the needs of the older members who are residents of the Court and to nurture a community where each person value's the other's qualities.

We also work with children, through the school, whose pupils and staff attend for a weekly service every Thursday during the school term. We also have a regular Sunday school, and a family service once a month (see Worship at St Mary's).

Besides our regular Sunday morning Eucharist we have various links with the wider community, and special services are held throughout the year.

There is a constant concern to foster an open, thoughtful and positive attitude to faith. We want our faith to support one another and our living in the modern world, taking account of the realities of our lives and of the fundamentals of the Christian way. These concerns motivate the preaching, our teaching and learning.

The social life of the Church adds a further dimension and it seeks to look beyond its immediate boundaries with interest and generosity.

In the parish itself and for those connected with the life of the Foundation, pastoral needs are met with compassion. Baptisms, marriages and funerals are given attentive and sympathetic care.

Contact us for more information

Priorities for us

  • Loving service especially to older people
  • Personal Spirituality
  • Christian Generosity
  • The Integration of Faith and Work
  • The Developing and Deepening of Faith
  • Solidarity with those in Need
  • Work with Children and Young People through the School