Baptisms

If you wish to be baptised or to have your child baptised, at St Mary's, the general guidelines regarding eligibility are as follows. The Church of England operates on a geographical basis. Your local parish church has a responsibility for your pastoral care and as part of this offers the services of Baptism and Marriage.

Baptism (sometimes referred to as christening) involves an 'initiation' and welcome into the world church, represented by a local church with which you have a relationship. If you live in the parish of St Mary's the baptism can take place here. If you do not live in the parish but have a close pastoral connection with St Mary's or regularly attend services here then the baptism can take place here. However, if you do not live in the parish and have no such connection you will need to see your local parish priest about baptism, as it is important that the baptism takes place in a church community with which you will have the opportunity for an ongoing connection