Welcome To Lawford Church

Welcome to the website* of Lawford Church - a Church with vision - a vibrant community.

As from 1 September 2009, our website will be moving to www.lawfordchurch.co.uk

Click above to be directed to our new website.

This site will remain in place for the time being but will no longer be updated.

Our Mission Statement

Lawford Church aims to promote the Gospel of Christ by demonstrating the relevance of the Christian way of life to the whole community through worship, service and fellowship using our various gifts and abilities.

Church interior, May 2009

St.Mary's Lawford is a growing church, a large and vibrant family existing together to worship God and share fellowship. In addition to our Sunday worship, Lawford church exists in the many groups that use the building, in our local schools and more widely in the community—a living body of people exploring faith together.

Around two years ago, recognising the growth which is happening, the Parochial Church Council, those responsible for supporting the Rector and leading the church, spent a lot of time considering what we are called to be, and how we can respond to those who are being called to join us.



Rev. Pat Prestney with the Bishop of Chelmsford

Among the responses has been the focus of growing Alpha groups: bringing new people to faith and renewing the faith of those who have known God a long time. Through our leadership course we are seeking to develop the talents of individuals within our church to nurture the Spirit in others. We have invested in our young people through Edward Bear, Time Out, Open Door Theatre Company, the Youth Group and others – all of which are open to the whole community, to those of faith and to those of none. Alongside this we encourage the exploration of the diversity of God's gifts through the Craft Club, Mother’s Union, Art Club, Lunch Club to name but a few.

We are more than just a building! Nonetheless, our beautiful fourteenth century church is a focal point and base from which we reach out into the community. Ours is a living building – as the church grows so does our use of our facilities. Throughout its history the building has been adapted to meet contemporary needs, for example with the addition of the north aisle and refurbishment of the Chancel in the nineteenth century, and the addition of the church hall and other facilities at the end of the last century.

Just as we grow the church spiritually, we must nurture our building through a careful blend of conservation and development.

As you explore this website I invite you to journey with us as we set out our vision for the future.

Pat Prestney, Rector of Lawford.

*We are in the process of updating our website. Please bear with us while we carry out this work.

Clicking on the picture at the top will always return you to this page.