Walsingham
'St Mary's' is named in honour of the Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was chosen by God to give birth to his Son, Jesus Christ.
Because of her special role in the salvation of the world, throughout history Mary has been given much honour and devotion by Christians. A number of the faithful have been granted visions of the Blessed Virgin, as a source of encouragement and joy. When this has happened a shrine has often been set up so that other people can share in those gifts, and by doing so be drawn closer to God.
We have a special connection with the greatest of the English shrines, at Walsingham in Norfolk. If you would like to learn more you should visit their website: http://www.walsinghamanglican.org.uk/. The image above depicts the Holy House at Walsingham - a replica of the house in Nazareth where Mary received the angel Gabriel's message that she would conceive and bear her Son, Jesus Christ. The statue above the altar is that of Our Lady of Walsingham, a replica of which can be seen in St Mary's.
Each September here at St Mary's we hold the Walsingham Festival, and we go the the Shrine itself twice a year. For more details of these events see the church notice board, the news sheet, or the 'What's On' section of this website.
St Mary's has a large and active cell of the Society of Our Lady of Walsingham, membership of which is open to all who wish to deepen their devotion to the Mother of God through the Mass, prayer and pilgrimage. For more information on the cell, or if you wish to join, please contact Barbara Varley, a Member of the Order of Our Lady of Walsingham.