Latest News

Licensing of The Reverend Michael Brandsma as Priest in Charge - everyone is invited to attend.

You are invited to the Licensing of The Reverend Michael Brandsma as Priest in Charge by the Bishop of Coventry The Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth and the Acting Archdeacon of Coventry, The Reverend Clive Hogger on Wednesday 11th October 2017 at 7.30 pm in the Church of St. Mary Atherstone Refreshments in the Church Lounge RSVP by 4th October 2017 to The Church Administrator 40 Holte Road, Atherstone, CV9 1HN 01827 720027  or by email to  office@stmarysatherstone.co.uk 

St. Mary's Church - Youth HQ Revival

St.Mary's Church would like to acknowledge and the help given to us by North Warwickshire Borough Council and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development which made this revival possible.  A big thank you from us!  The grant was awarded to refurbish the Youth HQ at St Mary’s Church to increase community usage. The works included replacement of windows, upgrade of toilet facilities, to include disabled access, and redecoration throughout. The project was part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development with help from North Warwickshire Borough Council.

LEADER Fund grant award for church

St. Mary's Church has received a generous grant award from the Leader Fund to help refurbish one of its community buildings. The building has been improved by replacing old windows and doors with UPVC double glazed units. A new accessible toilet and floor were also fitted. The refurbishment also included repainting and general repairs. The community building, known as the Youth Headquarters at the rear of St. Mary's church is already used by groups as diverse as mother & toddlers, adult yoga classes as well as youth groups.

NATIONAL LOTTERY SUPPORT FOR CHURCH ROOF REPAIRS

 St. Mary’s Church in Atherstone has received a confirmed grant of £236,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players the Church can now repair its roof, replace failed rainwater goods and make good some water damaged masonry.

 The total cost of the urgent repairs is £320,000 because of the vast size of the roof. The church family and townsfolk of Atherstone are working very hard raising funds to meet the repair costs. The Revd. Michael Brandsma said, “This is a project that is uniting the community in the efforts that have been required to raise the money. St Mary’s Church building has been a landmark in Atherstone for over 800 years and has been a place of worship, fellowship and solace for many over the years. The support of Heritage Lottery Fund, the residents and civic authorities especially our town mayor; Councillor Ray Jarvis will allow St Mary’s to continue with this tradition.”

 Townsfolk and visitors should soon see the scaffolding going up as the repairs are expected to start at the beginning of April 2017 and go on for around 35 weeks. The roof repairs project is a first important step to revitalise St Mary’s as a major community focus with comfortable, attractive facilities, not just for the Christian community, but for the whole town. The vision is to give Atherstone a quality centre for the performing arts, concerts and exhibitions, hosting a wide variety of events and activities which would attract people from a wider area into Atherstone throughout the week, around the year.

 Please continue to give generously to this project as there is still much work to do in preserving this heritage building, the focal point of the town’s Market Place, for future generations. 

The Church will remain open to all throughout the period of the repair works. In fact, St. Mary’s are looking to open its Community Café, currently open just Tuesday & Friday market days, on other weekdays too to encourage townsfolk to come inside, have a tea or coffee and explore the interesting heritage of this building by taking a Heritage Trail tour. The Heritage Trail tours are being developed to engage young, old, families and school children as part of this Heritage Lottery supported project.

MAYORS CHARITY WINTER WALK

In Aid of Mayors Charity 2016/7

St Marys Church Market Square Atherstone CV9 1EX

Join me for a WINTER SPONSORED WALK through the beautiful grounds of MEREVALE HALL  on 

Sunday 5th February 2017 10.15 for 10.30 start 

(Meet at Lodge near Kings Head) 

Returning to St Marys Church after walk for Hot Soup and Roll

Atherstone Town Mayor Cllr. Ray Jarvis has chosen St Mary's Church Building Fund as his Mayor's charity for 2016/17. 

The appeal was launched on Saturday night during a concert at the church by Atherstone Choral Society. 

Cllr Jarvis said "St Mary's  is located in Atherstone's historic market square taking pride of place at its head and features on the Atherstone Town Council Mayors Chain of Office which shows the importance of this building to our town. It is now in need of extensive repairs to keep it for future generations and I believe it is vital for the mayor's charity assist in this enormous task". The listed church building was recently placed on the English Heritage at risk  register. The church is  raising funds to repair and upgrade the historic building  and eventually  create a church and  community resource fit for use in the 21st century by all the people of Atherstone and the surrounding district.  Heritage Lottery Funding of up to £250,000 has been promised for the first phase of works and the church needs to raise another £50,000 matched funding.   Throughout the next twelve months there will be  a series  events to raise funds. Already arranged is a concert in St Mary's  by the prize winning Jaguar Land Rover Brass Band on 22nd October 2016.  The vicar of St Mary's, Rev Michael Brandsma commented "This is vital support by the local council and community of our dream to make St Mary's  a integral and vibrant part of the  community in an up to date building whilst retaining its historic features and traditional character".  Photo (left to right) Mayor's Consort Mrs Carol Jarvis, Town Mayor Cllr Ray Jarvis, Curate of St Mary's Rev Michael Brandsma and Mrs Sybil Brandsma.    

Excellent News - Heritage Lottery Fund Success

Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) have awarded our Building Repairs Project a First Round Pass, of up to £250,000, which represents 66% of total Repairs Project costs. The first round pass means that HLF believe that our project has potential to deliver high-quality outcomes and value for Lottery Money.

We now need to develop our project proposals further and submit a fully worked up bid and gain a pass at round 2, in order to secure the £250,000.  We have to raise around £60,000 of our own money as match funding in order to secure the second round pass. You can read more about our Building Project here.  

Fresh Look at St. Mary's - Our Vision for the Future 

We have a bold new plan for the radical redevelopment of the building. We would like to invite you to get involved in this project which is about the People, the Community, and the Heritage of our town. Our vision for the building is to see it develop into a community asset, embracing partnerships with all sections and individuals across the town, working together to put Atherstone on the map, to showcase what a rich heritage we have, and what a great town this is, and work to enhance  community life.  We would like to invite you to offer your support by volunteering some time, or perhaps by making a donation towards the costs. Find out more....

Messy Church

Messy Church event is held on the first Sunday of the month, from 3:45pm to  5:45pm.  

HOPE  to  see  YOU  THERE.

Please come and join us. 

Messy Church is always on the First Sunday of each Month.  

find out more about Messy Church.

Food Bank Appeal

Please continue to support our local Food Bank. All church members are asked to consider donating at least one item per fortnight for the Food Bank. There is a box at the back of the church for your donations. Here is the Shopping List; Milk (UHT or powdered), Sugar (500g), Fruit Juice (carton), Soup, Pasta Sauces, Sponge Pudding  (tinned), Tomatoes (tinned), Cereals, Rice Pudding (tinned), Tea Bags & Instant Coffee, Instant Mashed Potato, Rice & Pasta, Tinned Meat & Fish, Tinned Vegetables, Tinned Fruit, Jam, Biscuits & Snack Bars. Many thanks in advance.