St Mary the Virgin Merton is an inclusive Church of England parish within the Diocese of Southwark, serving a community of some 3,000 households in and around Merton Park, London, SW19.
Beautiful choral worship, quiet prayer, and a warm welcome for all ages. A community for faith, friendship, questions and hope - wherever you are on the journey. We’d love to see you.
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Today the Church celebrates 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥, 𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬. Peter, the fisherman, was impulsive, devoted, afraid, forgiven, and sent out to strengthen the Church. Paul, the persecutor turned apostle, carried the Gospel across boundaries of nation, language, and culture. They were very different people. They did not always agree easily. And yet both were drawn into the same grace of Christ, and both gave their lives in witness to him. Their feast reminds us that the Church is built not on perfect people, but on people called, changed, and sent. Today we pray especially for all churches dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul: may they be places of courage, welcome, reconciliation, and joyful witness to Christ. As we give thanks for these two great apostles, may we too be faithful in our calling, generous in our witness, and bold in proclaiming the love of God. 𝑺𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝑷𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝑷𝒂𝒖𝒍, 𝑨𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒔, 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒖𝒔. St Mary’s, Merton A place of prayer, worship, and welcome for all. #SaintsPeterAndPaul #StPeter #StPaul #ChurchOfEngland #Anglican -
Choral Evensong tonight at 6.30pm features one of Sir Edward Elgar's great anthems 'Give Unto The Lord'. #choralevensong -
Today the Church remembers 𝐂𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐚, 𝐁𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡, 𝐝. 𝟒𝟒𝟒. As a teacher, Cyril's great concern was that we should not divide Christ in two, as though Jesus were partly God and partly human, or as though God merely visited a human life from the outside. For Cyril, the wonder of the Gospel is deeper and stranger: in Jesus Christ, God truly comes among us. The eternal Word takes flesh. The divine light enters our ordinary human life, our weakness, our bodies, our joys and sorrows, and makes them places of grace. This is why Cyril defended the title 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐤𝐨𝐬 (𝐆𝐨𝐝-𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫) 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲. The child she bore is truly Emmanuel: God with us. Cyril’s vision of salvation was wonderfully vast. Because Christ has taken our humanity into himself, human nature is not abandoned, despised, or thrown away. It is healed, restored, and drawn back towards God. In Cyril’s theology there is a deep hope for the renewal of all things: a hope that God’s mercy is larger than our failures, and that the Incarnation reaches further than we can imagine. As we give thanks for Cyril today, may we honour Our Lady as Theotokos, and may we trust more deeply in the mystery of Christ: fully divine, fully human, and nearer to us than we dare imagine. He comes among us to restore, heal, and save. 𝑪𝒚𝒓𝒊𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒂, 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒉, 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒖𝒔. https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer St Mary’s, Merton A place of prayer, worship, and welcome for all. #CyrilOfAlexandria #ChurchOfEngland #Anglican #Theotokos #Incarnation -
The sun may be doing its best, but our 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 has several centuries' experience of staying cool! As well as our 9.30 am Communion and 6.30 pm Evensong, this Sunday our 8 am Communion Service is from the Book of Common Prayer (𝟖 𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐂𝐏 4th Sunday of every month). Pew Sheet: https://landing.churchdesk.com/en-gb/file/b37c9c33-4136-47f6-a2b8-8a51eac8c30c ~ O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that with you as our ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not our hold on things eternal; grant this, heavenly Father, for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. #bcp #elgar #massofstthomas -
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Today the Church celebrates the 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭. John stands on the edge of the Gospel like a figure at dawn: not the light himself, but the one who points towards the light. Before Jesus begins his public ministry, John is already preparing the way, calling people to repentance, renewal, and hope. His birth is a sign that God’s promises are not forgotten. To Zechariah and Elizabeth, long past the years of expectation, God gives joy. To Israel, waiting in darkness, God gives a voice crying in the wilderness. To us, God gives a reminder that grace often begins quietly, unexpectedly, and long before we can see the whole story. John’s great task was to make Christ known. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” As we celebrate his birth today, may we too prepare the way of the Lord: in our hearts, in our homes, in our church, and in the world. 𝑱𝒐𝒉𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕, 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕, 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒖𝒔. St Mary’s, Merton A place of prayer, worship, and welcome for all. #JohnTheBaptist #BirthOfJohnTheBaptist #ChurchOfEngland #Anglican #StMarysMerton -
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Today the Church remembers 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐚, 𝐀𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐥𝐲, 𝐜. 𝟔𝟕𝟖. Etheldreda — also known as Æthelthryth or Audrey — was a Saxon princess, queen, foundress, and abbess. After a life shaped by political marriage, prayer, and costly faithfulness, she founded a monastery at Ely, where she became abbess and mother of a community of prayer. Ely Cathedral still bears her memory. Its origins lie in the monastery Etheldreda founded, and her shrine remains at the heart of the cathedral’s story: a witness to centuries of prayer, pilgrimage, beauty, and worship. At St Mary’s, Merton, we have our own ancient Christian story, shaped by the life of Merton Priory and by more than nine hundred years of worship. Today, as we remember Etheldreda, we give thanks for all holy places where prayer has taken root across the generations. As we give thanks for Etheldreda today, may we learn to seek God with undivided hearts, and to make our own homes, churches, and communities places of prayer and welcome. https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer Etheldreda, Abbess of Ely, pray for us. St Mary’s, Merton A place of prayer, worship, and welcome for all. #etheldreda #stetheldreda #elycathedral #churchofengland #womensaints -
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Today the Church remembers 𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐚𝐧, 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐜. 𝟐𝟓𝟎. Alban lived in Roman Verulamium, near the place where @stalbanscathedral now stands. When a Christian priest was fleeing persecution, Alban gave him shelter. Moved by the priest’s faith, Alban became a Christian himself. When the authorities came to arrest the priest, Alban changed clothes with him and gave himself up in his place. He refused to deny Christ, and was killed for his faith. His grave became a place of pilgrimage, and St Albans Cathedral still stands as a witness to his courage: the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain. St Alban’s story has a special place in the life of St Mary’s too: in 2023, pilgrims from St Mary’s walked to St Albans Cathedral, joining the ancient stream of prayer and pilgrimage to the shrine of Britain’s first martyr (https://www.stmarysmerton.org.uk/uploads/FnJ271wv/ParishMatters-autumn23.pdf). Alban reminds us that faith is not only belief in the mind, but love in action: sheltering the vulnerable, protecting the persecuted, and standing for Christ when it costs us something. As we give thanks for Alban today, may we have grace to be faithful, courageous, and generous in love. Alban, First Martyr of Britain, pray for us. Pray today with the Church of England Daily Prayer: https://daily.commonworship.com St Mary’s, Merton Park A place of prayer, worship, and welcome for all. #saintalban #ChurchOfEngland #Anglican #stalbanscathedral #dailyprayer -
Our wonderful young singers - aged 7 to19 - thoroughly entertained a delighted audience at last night's Choristers' Concert. Thank you to everyone who came and supported our young people, raising valuable funds to support the musical education at St Mary’s; to our MD Tristan and Kate our Vocal Coach; to Alexandra Standing for her flawless accompanying. And most of all, to every one of our talented young performers who made it a truly memorable night! @alexandrathepianist @tristan_weymes -
This Sunday, it's our 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝟗.𝟑𝟎 𝐚𝐦 (3rd Sunday of most months), and 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 will be performing the closing voluntary at the 𝟔.𝟑𝟎 𝐩𝐦 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐠 in aid of UNICEF. Pew Sheet: https://landing.churchdesk.com/en-gb/file/cd12dfb8-81e4-424b-8cad-34bb93ff1e49 ~ Almighty God, you have broken the tyranny of sin and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts whereby we call you Father: give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that we and all creation may be brought to the glorious liberty of the children of God; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. -
Today's BBC Radio 4 Thought for the Day is by Revd Dr Giles Fraser who celebrates the peaceful joy and beauty of Choral Evensong. Find it on BBC Sounds. Come and join us at St Mary's for Choral Evensong every Sunday in term-times at 6.30pm sung by our Choir, and at other times by our Occasional Singers. #choralevensong -
Today the Church remembers 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚, 𝐒𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐮, 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡, 𝐝. 𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟗 Sundar Singh was a holy wanderer, pilgrim, and teacher who travelled lightly. Clothed in the saffron robe, he showed that the Gospel does not belong to one culture, reminding us that Christ is always larger than our habits and assumptions. Faith is not the possession of one people, one style, or one age. It is the living light of God, received and shared in every place. The hymn 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝑭𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝑱𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒔 is often associated with Sadhu Sundar Singh and the Indian Christian tradition, though its exact authorship is disputed. As we give thanks for Sundar Singh today, may we learn to follow Christ with simplicity, courage, and joy. Sundar Singh, pray for us. St Mary’s, Merton Park A place of prayer, worship, and welcome for all. #SundarSingh #SadhuSundarSingh #ChurchOfEngland #Anglican #TeacherOfTheFaith #Indian -
The Summer issue of our popular quarterly magazine Parish Matters is now online. Highlights include the story of how John Innes left his considerable mark on Merton Park - and we don't mean with compost! Several beautiful Burne-Jones windows in the church are dedicated to John Innes, and in this issue we look at the Isaiah window, manufactured locally by William Morris & Co. There's also fascinating insights into two other Merton figures - Richard Thornton, reputedly once the richest man in England, and 18th century female bookseller Dorcas Lackington, who is buried in St Mary's churchyard. Revd. Ali Milne reflects on his first weeks as our new Vicar, and we celebrate 100 years of Merton Park Bowling Club and 105 years of the Brownies in Merton Park. Download your free copy from our website - link in bio. Parish Matters is distributed to 3,000 households in the parish and is also available at the back of the church. -
Today the Church remembers 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐤𝐢, 𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲𝐫, 𝐝. 𝟏𝟖𝟗𝟔 Born in Mozambique, Bernard was a teacher and translator, serving among the Shona people in what is now Zimbabwe. In a time of violence and danger, Bernard chose to remain with the people he had been sent to serve and was killed on 18 June 1896. Bernard reminds us that the Gospel is not carried only by bishops, priests, or famous voices. It is carried by all faithful people, teachers, neighbours, and friends: those who make Christ known by love, courage, patience, and service. As we give thanks for Bernard Mizeki today, may we have grace to be faithful where God has placed us, and to serve Christ in all people. Bernard Mizeki, Apostle of the MaShona and Martyr, pray for us. St Mary’s, Merton Park A place of prayer, worship, and welcome for all. #BernardMizeki #ChurchOfEngland #Anglican #Martyr #Zimbabwe #Mozambique -
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Today the Church remembers 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐭, 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 (d. 1913 and 1936). Samuel was a priest; Henrietta was a writer, campaigner, and reformer. Together, they believed that Christian faith must take flesh in justice, education, beauty, and practical care for the poor. They worked among those living with overcrowding, poverty, and exclusion in the East End of London. Through Toynbee Hall, they helped create a place where people of different classes could live, learn, and work alongside one another. Henrietta later helped to shape Hampstead Garden Suburb, imagining a community where rich and poor might share space and beauty. Their witness reminds us that the Gospel is not only preached in words, but in generosity, shared learning, neighbourliness, and the patient remaking of society. As we give thanks for Samuel and Henrietta Barnett today, may we seek Christ in the life of our neighbours, and work for communities where all may flourish. Samuel and Henrietta Barnett, Social Reformers, pray for us. St Mary’s, Merton Park A place of prayer, worship, and welcome for all. #SamuelBarnett #HenriettaBarnett #ChurchOfEngland #SocialJustice #ToynbeeHall #hampsteadgardens -
Today, the Church remembers Joseph Butler, Bishop of Durham, philosopher, and intellectual defender of the Christian life. Butler wrote in an age when many were asking whether human beings are really anything more than self-interested creatures. Against the bleakness of Thomas Hobbes’s view of human nature, Butler argued that conscience, compassion, and benevolence are part of the complexity of what it means to be human. He also saw in the complexity of the world around him often perplexing patterns of order and meaning. In that same spirit, he invited people to see Christian faith not as an escape from reason, but as something woven into the deep structure of an untidy reality. In a noisy and suspicious age, Butler teaches us to listen to conscience, to ponder the strange patterns of meaning in creation, and to seek God with both heart and mind. Joseph Butler, Bishop of Durham and Philosopher, pray for us. St Mary’s, Merton Park A place of prayer, worship, and welcome for all. #JosephButler #ChurchOfEngland #Anglican #ChristianFaith #Conscience #Philosophy #Prayer -
Today the Church remembers Evelyn Underhill, writer, retreat conductor, and one of the great Anglican voices of prayer and the spiritual life. Underhill had a gift for helping ordinary Christians see that holiness is not reserved for a few exceptional people, but is the calling of all of us. She reminded the Church that prayer is not an escape from the world, but a way of being drawn more deeply into the life of God, and so into love for our neighbour. Her life and work still encourage us to make room for silence, attentiveness, and the presence of God amid the noise of everyday life. As we give thanks for Evelyn Underhill today, may we too grow in prayer, compassion, and the desire for God. “God is always coming to you in the Sacrament of the Present Moment.” Nico Muhly’s The Quiet Stars is a short anthem setting words from Underhill’s wartime poem “Candlemas, 1915”, St Mary’s, Merton Park A place of prayer, worship, and welcome for all. Image: Evelyn Underhill, 1926. Pleshey Retreat House / Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. #EvelynUnderhill #FeastDay #SaintsOfTheChurch #Prayer #Anglican #ChurchOfEngland #stmarysmerton #MertonPark #christianspirituality -
Join us this us Sunday for beautiful music, restorative ritual, fellowship, and perhaps even a joke in the sermon! Excitingly, our wonderful choir are also singing at 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒕 𝟒 𝒑𝒎 this Sunday for the Diocesan Evensong. If you fancy a pilgrimage, please do join us! Given this, the 𝟔.𝟑𝟎 𝒑𝒎 service this Sunday at Mary's will be a short Said Evening Prayer. Pew Sheet: https://landing.churchdesk.com/en-gb/file/3bc65a14-011d-4d56-bac7-60e2a70c5661 ~ Lord, you have taught us that all our doings without love are nothing worth: send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you. Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen -
Royal College of Music violinist Anthony Knight will be performing the closing voluntary at St Mary's Choral Evensong on Sunday 21 June in aid of UNICEF. Having toured 63 churches in Somerset and raising £13,000, Anthony embarked on a tour of 12 countries around Europe and now has a target of playing in 100 churches across London. When he comes to St Mary’s, Anthony will be playing Meditation from Thais by Massenet. Please do come and hear Anthony and support both him and UNICEF's work. To donate to Anthony's online fund-raising appeal, scan the QR code in the image. @anthonyknightmusic @unicef_uk #choralevensong -
St Mary's Church is now on Facebook as well as Instagram! On Facebook search for St Mary the Virgin Merton and we're @stmarysmerton on Insta. -
St Mary’s’ Choristers are putting on a concert of solo and group performances, featuring music from Stephen Schwartz, to Gershwin, to Bach on Friday 19 June at 7.30 pm in St Mary’s Church. There is something for all audiences to enjoy in this concert, and all performances are self-led by the choristers. With performances from choir members aged 7–19, it is the culmination of their hard work over years of choir membership. Entry is by donation, to support the music education that St Mary’s offers, with drinks and snacks served during the interval. -
This Sunday at 10.45am in the Parish Hall we will be holding our Annual Parochial Church Meeting. The 2025 Annual Report and accounts are available to download on our website (link in bio). -
It's another glorious spring day in Merton Park. Do join us for Choral Evensong tonight at 6.30pm. Responses - Ayleward Canticles - L'Estrange King's Service Anthem - Teach me O Lord - Attwood. #choralevensong -
A very happy Easter from the St Mary's Flower team, who worked so hard on Saturday to make the church even more beautiful than usual. #easterweekend -
A very happy Easter from all at St Mary's. Tonight at 6.30pm we continue our celebration of Christ's Resurrection with Choral Evensong. Responses: Rose Canticles: Stanford in G Anthem: My Beloved Spake - Patrick Hadley All welcome. #eastersunday #choralevensong -
Easter Day at St Mary's 8am Said Eucharist 10am Sung Eucharist of Easter Day, followed by an Easter egg hunt in the vicarage garden. Coffee in the Hall after the service. 6.30pm Easter Choral Evensong #eastersunday -
The Easter Fire ablaze at our Holy Saturday service this evening. #holyweek #eastereve #holysaturday -
Easter Eve at St Mary's The Easter Garden is bare as we wait for the joy of the Resurrection on Easter Day. Tonight at 7.30pm: The Easter Vigil - from Darkness to Light. Easter Fire, renewal of baptismal promises and Easter music led by the choir. #holyweek #eastereve -
St Augustine's chapel, prepared for Good Friday. -
Good Friday at St Mary's 12noon Devotions with recorded music of The Passion (Pergolesi: Stabat Mater) 1pm Service at the Cross – hymns, readings, sermon 2pm The Good Friday Liturgy Do feel free to stay for all or any part of the 3 hours. #goodfriday #holyweek -
Maundy Thursday at St Mary's Tonight at 7.30pm we recall the Last Supper and Christ's washing of the apostles' feet, when He implored them to emulate His loving humility. After the service, which is led by the choir, there will be a Vigil until midnight for those who wish to stay for any or all of this. -
Do join us at St Mary's tomorrow as we begin Holy Week. Palm Sunday commemorates Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. 9.40am Blessing of Palms - meet at John Innes Park Bandstand and process to St Mary's for : 10am Sung Eucharist in church with dramatic reading of the Gospel 6.30pm A Passiontide Sequence of Words and Music This service draws together some of the themes of the closing days of Jesus’ life and, in words and music, offers a space for reflection and prayer as we journey in faith and follow the way of Christ. The choir will sing: Mozart - Ave Verum Corpus Goss - O Saviour of the World Hilton - Lord for thy tender mercy’s sake #palmsunday #holyweek -
Palm Sunday at St Mary's - 29 March 9.40am Blessing of Palms - meet at John Innes Park Bandstand 10am Sung Eucharist in church with dramatic reading of the Gospel 6.30pm A Passiontide Sequence of Words and Music As Holy Week begins, this service draws together some of the themes of the closing days of Jesus’ life and, in words and music, offers a space for reflection and prayer as we journey in faith and follow the way of Christ. #palmsunday🌿 #holyweek -
Easter baking all ready for tomorrow's Wednesday Club afternoon tea, 2:15pm for 2:30pm in the parish small hall. -
Help us to maintain St Mary's Glebe fields Our Glebe fields are open for the public to use. They are very popular for dog walking and for just walking through. As you wander, take note of the many splendid trees, 25 of which are protected by Tree Preservation Orders. The church, along with local volunteers, continues to keep the fields in good running order. But some work comes at a cost, and this mainly includes tree surgery when it must be done. Other future costs will include replacing our well-used lawn mower. Also, it would be helpful to purchase a brush-cutter to deal with scrub plants which cannot be cut by the mower. These expenses cannot easily be met through church funds. To make a donation to our Glebe Field Fund please scan the QR code in this post or go to our website (link in bio). All monies collected will go to the conservations of this green space and help to keep it open as a resource for the community. Thank you. -
Do join us for our Mothering Sunday Children First Eucharist at 10am this Sunday. Free posies (made by our wonderful Flower Team) for all mothers, and simnel cake in the parish hall with tea, coffee and squash after the service! -
Revd Ali Milne received the key to the west door of the church from Churchwarden @davidreeves104 at the parish reception following his Collation and Induction as Vicar of St Mary’s Merton last Sunday. Ali's first Sunday is 8th March, and he will be preaching at all three services - at 8am Said Eucharist, 9.30am Parish Eucharist and 6.30pm Choral Evensong. Do come along on Sunday to support Ali as he begins his ministry with us. -
The bell tower noticeboard of Vicars of St Mary the Virgin Merton is now up to date! Ali is the 30th Vicar as, despite the church being founded around 1115, until the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII in the 1530s St Mary's was under the direct control of Merton Priory. -
St Mary's welcomed our new Vicar, Revd Ali Milne, at his Collation and Induction by the Bishop of Kingston, Rt Revd Martin Gainsborough, on Sunday 1 March. @southwarkcofe -
As we look forward to Revd Ali Milne's Collation and Induction as the next Vicar of St Mary the Virgin Merton by the Bishop of Kingston this Sunday evening, we would like to thank all those priests in Merton Deanery and from the wider Southwark Diocese who have helped us during our vacancy by presiding at our services since last July. We're really grateful to them all. @southwarkcofe -
Official notification of the collation and induction of Revd Ali Milne as our new Vicar on Sunday 1 March, posted on the west door of the church. -
'Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return'. Ash Wednesday sees the beginning of Lent, during which we reflect on Christ's time in the Wilderness and receive the sign of the cross in ashes from last year's palm crosses. Do join us at 7.30pm this Wednesday to mark this important time in the Christian year. Music is led by the choir. And enjoy your pancakes tomorrow! -
We're delighted to announce that Rev’d Alistair Milne will be the next Vicar of St Mary’s Merton. Ali currently is completing his curacy at St Nicolas' Guildford. His installation will take place at St Mary's on Sunday 1 March at 6.30pm. More details on our website (link in bio). @southwarkcofe @cofeguildford -
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Christmas Services at St Mary's Sunday 21 December - 6.30pm Nine Lessons & Carols by Candlelight Christmas Eve - 3.30pm & 5pm: Christingle services 11.30pm: Midnight Eucharist Christmas Day - 10am: Eucharist of Christmas Morning We look forward to seeing you over the festive season. -
This Sunday we look forward to Christ's coming at our candlelit Advent Carol service. Carols by the choir, readings and seasonal hymns for all in our joyful start to the season. All welcome! -
Don't miss our Christmas Market this Saturday 29th in the Church and Parish Hall from 11am to 2pm. Get in the seasonal spirit at our ever-popular community event! Kindly sponsored by @tennisonproperty -
Last Sunday's Choral Evensong celebrated the award of £3,500 received from the @cathedralmusictrust for the St Mary's Music Club. Established this autumn, the club helps train choristers and local young musicians in music skills. We are extremely grateful to the Trust who made this award possible. Our photo is of St Mary's Choir at Westminster Abbey this July, when they sang Evensong. -
Next Sunday, 9th November, we mark Remembrance Sunday with three services in collaboration with @merton_council, Rutlish High School and Old Rutlishians Association. - 9am Merton Civic Service outside the Nelson Health Centre in Kingston Road SW20 8DA, including the Last Post and wreath laying at the War Memorial of the former Nelson Hospital; - 10am Eucharist and Remembrance Service. Anthem: Greater Love Hath No Man by John Ireland. The two minute silence and Last Post at 11am is followed by the congregation moving outside to the War Memorial in Church Lane for; - a short wreath laying service and Last Post. Please arrive early for the 10am service as it is likely to be very busy. Our collection will be in support of @royalbritishlegion. 'At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.' #remembrancesunday @rutlishschool @old_rutlishians_association -
Tonight at 6.30pm we remember loved ones who are no longer with us at our All Souls service. Do come and light a candle in memory of any relatives or friends who have died. Light refreshments follow the service. -
You are warmly invited to St Mary's Harvest Festival Celebration this Sunday 19 October at 10am. It will be a Children First Eucharist for all the family. We are collecting harvest gifts for @thespirescentre which works with the homeless and disadvantaged. Any of the following items would be gratefully received: Storecupboard donations such as tinned meat and fish, tinned meals, pot noodles, pasta sachets, snack pots of porridge, biscuits, cereal bars, evaporated and UHT milk, microwaveable rice. Toiletries such as shampoo and shower gel, toothbrushes and toothpaste, personal hygiene items. Thank you for your generosity, and we hope to see you on Sunday morning! #harvestfestival #homelessness -
Vicar of St Mary the Virgin Merton The recruitment advertisement for our vacancy appears in today's Church Times and is also posted on our website, together with our Parish Profile - link in bio. Closing date is 9 November 2025. -
St Mary's supports @thespirescentre, the south London homeless charity. At our Harvest Festival on Sunday 18 October we're once again collecting donations for Spires, to support them in their work with people experiencing homelessness. Please help if you can by bringing to church on Sunday 18th any of the items listed above. Thank you! #homelessness #harvestfestival -
We were delighted today to admit Ava Renton (2nd from left) as Head Chorister, supported by Chloe Ellam and Sophie Bisson (3rd and 4th from left) as Deputy Head Choristers. Ava succeeds Ellie Roberts (1st left) who performed the role with great dedication and skill. Ellie signed off as Head Chorister by singing the soprano solo in the Benedictus of Haydn's Little Organ Mass at this morning's Choral Eucharist. -
This Autumn's issue of our quarterly magazine, Parish Matters, is now available to download from our website. Link on our profile. The beginning of July saw the sad departure of our vicar, John Hayward, as he retired after 17 years at St Mary’s. We look back at the day of farewell and of celebration of John’s time with us, and at the enormously successful summer fair which preceded it. And we also look ahead to the appointment of a new vicar, offering a historical perspective on the way the Church of England recruits clergy to parishes. Vicars come and go, but some things are with us forever – for example, our beautiful mediaeval church building. We talk to the man who oversees its maintenance, celebrate the successful appeal to fund work on the bells, and launch our campaign to increase donor giving to enable us not just to maintain the building, but also to undertake the wider work of St Mary’s in the community. As well as a preview of Wimbledon BookFest in October, you will also find regular features such as book reviews, a walk suggestion, and a profile of a well-known ‘parish person’. We hope you enjoy it. Parish Matters is distributed free to 3,000 households in the parish and is also available at the back of the church. -
Flowers left on our war memorial on 19 September, in memory of Gunner Harry Littlewood who died the same day in 1917. -
STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT WITH PARISH PLAYERS! Join us for our upcoming pantomime, Dick Whittington, and be a part of our friendly community. Read-through and auditions are open to all, with no performance fees – just a yearly subscription. Under-18s, please attend with a parent or guardian until membership formalities are completed. Find us at St Mary's Parish Hall, Merton Park, London SW19 3HJ. -
St Mary's Choir sang Evensong at @westminsterabbeylondon on 28 July. The music: Ayleward responses, Psalm 71 vv1-16 (chants by GJ Bennett), Brewer in D Canticles, Anthem - O for the Wings of a Dove, Mendelssohn. @tristan_weymes #choralevensong -
Tomorrow, St Mary's Choir are excited and privileged to be singing Choral Evensong at Westminster Abbey. #choralevensong -
The Bells Fund We are delighted to say that the appeal to the parish and the wider Merton Park community to help fund the work on St Mary’s bells has been successful and our target of £10,000 has been met. Very many thanks to all who contributed. -
Help us get our bearings! The bells of St Mary’s need your help. Our six bells have been ringing out for hundreds of years. The oldest was cast around 1450, and is thought to be the oldest in Surrey. They are rung every Sunday, and celebrate christenings, weddings, funerals and mark important national occasions – recently the Coronation of Charles III and the 80th anniversary of VE day. But we have a big problem! As with most bells, St Mary’s bells are hung on ball bearings and, after 50 years regular use, the bearings need replacing. This requires professional bell hangers. Future expenses, such as new ropes and other essential items are imminent. We need to raise £10,000. If you love the sound of our bells and want them to continue, for us and for future generations to enjoy, please help us with a donation. Full details are on our website - link in bio. -
A memorable programme of opera arias and songs from musical theatre delighted an enthusiastic audience at St Mary's last night. Grateful thanks to old friends of St Mary’s @harriet_burns_ @ian.m.tindale and @matthewbisson01, and to tenor Matthew Palmer who very kindly sung at short notice. -
A reminder that this Thursday 3 July at 7.30pm is Opera Arias Nght at St Mary's. We welcome Harriet Burns, Michael Bell and Ian Tindale for what promises to be a fabulous evening of exceptional entertainment. Tickets £15 on the door, cash or card. Licenced bar open from 7pm and during the interval. @harriet_burns_ @ian.m.tindale -
This Saturday, 28 June, we welcome the Wimbledon Chamber Choir for their summer concert. Book online or pay on the door. For more details and how to book online, visit our website - link in bio. -
Our next concert sees a warm welcome back to old friends Hattie and Ian who are joined by Michael Bell in what promises to be a spectacular evening of song. Date - Thursday 3 July Time - 7.30pm Tickets £15 on the door (cash or card) Licenced bar. @harriet_burns_ @ian.m.tindale -
The St Mary's Summer Fair yesterday was a great success and together we raised £5,500 for church funds. Thank you to everyone who came, to all the entertainers, the Wimbledon London Fire Brigade, and a particular thanks to Roger and his fantastic team of volunteers. -
Don't forget, tomorrow is St Mary's Summer Fair, 2pm to 6pm. There'll be plenty of shade in our beautiful Glebe fields and in the hall, and refreshments all afternoon. Come and join the fun! -
🌞 Summer Fun at St Mary's Merton Fair! When: Saturday, 21 June. Time: 2 pm - 6 pm. Where: Parish Hall & Glebe, Church Path, Merton Park, London SW19 3HJ. Get ready for a quintessentially English country fair, right in the heart of South West London! 🏴 This family-friendly event is packed with endless entertainment and delights: • Live music to set the mood - from Rock to Barber Shop • Indulge in classic cream teas • Browse stalls selling plants, cakes, jams, and more • Try your luck at the traditional tombola • Play classic games and activities • See a real fire engine from the London Fire Brigade • Be mesmerised by the miniature train • Enjoy a refreshing drink from our fully licensed bar! 🍻 It's an afternoon you won't want to miss! 🎉 Bring the whole family and soak up the community spirit at the St Mary's Merton Summer Fair. See you there! -
We were delighted to welcome everyone on this year's Interfaith Walk to St Mary's, in support of Faith in Action Merton Homelessness Project, this lunchtime. They enjoyed hearing stories about St Mary's and our founder Gilbert the Norman, Sir Gregory Lovell (Cofferer to Elizabeth I), our most famous parishioner Horatio Lord Nelson, and Rear-Admiral Isaac Smith, reputed to be the first European on Australian soil and who's buried in our churchyard. #horationelson @mertonhomelessdropin -
Tonight we mark the feast of the Ascension, when Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after Easter Day. Do join us at 7.30pm for Sung Eucharist led by the choir. -
Best wishes to everyone at Wembley today from St Mary's, including both Churchwardens, a choir member and our Parish Administrator, at today's League 2 Playoff final. #COYD! @afc_wimbledon -
This coming Sunday 11 May, we are recognising and celebrating the contribution of St Mary's peal of six bells and our wonderful Bellringers to the life of the Church and our local community. Do join us at our 9.30am Parish Eucharist and after the service enjoy a demonstration by the bellringers, and watch the bells in action via the belfry video monitor. Our photo is a screenshot from the monitor. #bellsunday -
Have you booked your seats for Parish Players' exciting May play yet? Tickets are on sale now. Visit the Parish Players website or scan the QR code. Written by Arnold Ridley (Private Godfrey in BBCTV's Dad's Army), The Ghost Train is a classic comedy thriller set in 1920s Cornwall. -
Our Easter Garden is now emblazoned with colourful butterflies, thanks to our young Sunday Club members. Low Sunday services continue tonight at 6.30pm with Choral Evensong sung by our choir, including probationer trebles: Smith responses Grayston Ives: Salisbury Service canticles Anthem: Lead me Lord - Wesley #choralevensong #lowsunday #easter -
Apologies, our website isn't very well at the moment and not all its features are currently available. We hope that we can get it back to fighting fitness on Monday. -
Our Easter celebrations continue this evening at 6.30pm with Choral Evensong sung by our choir. Responses: Rose Canticles: Stanford in A Anthem: Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem - Stanford All welcome. #easter #choralevensong -
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Easter Eve - Saturday 19 April 7.30pm The first service of Easter, The Easter Vigil takes place this evening. It begins in darkness retelling creation, the cry of freedom to set God’s people free. After the sun has set, the Paschal (Easter) Candle is inscribed with a cross, the current year and the letters ‘Alpha’ and ‘Omega’ just before it is lit from a bonfire set alight in the churchyard. Then carried into the darkened church, it is lifted high as a cantor intones ‘The Light of Christ’. The people’s candles are lit from it, gradually spreading light to fill the church. In a central place of honour, an ancient prayer of praise, the Exsultet is sung around the Candle, recording the mighty acts of God in redeeming the world and heralding the Light of the Resurrection. The church explodes with sound as the Gloria is sung, the organ thunders and bells peal forth, leading to the first Biblical readings of Easter. A richly colourful service full of symbolism and drama starts St Mary's celebration of the Resurrection. #holysaturday #easter #holyweek #eastereve -
Our Good Friday service from 12 noon to 3pm takes place as the Church recalls the hours of darkness after Jesus’ death on the Cross. It is divided into three sections: 12pm–1pm. Reflection on Christ’s Crucifixion while listening to recordings of music on the theme of The Passion of Our Lord. 1pm–2pm. The Service at the Cross: readings, hymns, prayers and sermon 2pm–3pm. The Good Friday Liturgy – telling the story and reflecting on what happened on the first Good Friday. Please feel free to come and go at any time during the service. -
Tuesday 15th & Wednesday 16 April: 7.30pm Eucharist with homily and hymns Maundy Thursday 17 April: 7.30pm Sung Eucharist, washing of feet and stripping of altar. Prayer Vigil follows Good Friday 18 April: 12noon Devotions with recorded music of The Passion 1pm Service at the Cross – hymns, readings, sermon 2pm The Good Friday Liturgy Holy Saturday 19 April: 7.30pm The Easter Vigil –from Darkness to Light Readings, hymns, renewal of baptismal vows, Easter Fire and lighting of Easter Candle Easter Sunday 20 April: 8am Said Eucharist 10am Sung Eucharist of Easter Day (followed by Easter egg hunt in the Vicarage garden) 6.30pm Choral Evensong for Easter #holyweek #easter #goodfriday #holysaturday #maundythursday -
It's been a glorious spring afternoon, and the bell tower of the church and the Norman arch in the foreground look lovely from the Vicarage garden. -
We were delighted to welcome back @alexander.binns2 last night, who treated an enthusiastic and appreciative audience to a wonderfully diverse programme of organ music. And many thanks, Alexander, for being so complimentary about our lovely Mander organ! -
Organ Recital TODAY Thursday 10 April at 7.30pm Don't miss this opportunity to hear Alexander Binns, Director of Music at Derby Cathedral, playing our fine 2015 Mander organ. Alexander's programme includes music from the 16th century, works by Bach, Widor, Cesar Franck, an arrangement of a well-known spiritual and music composed for the Coronation of King Charles III. Tickets £15 on the door, cash or card. Interval bar. We hope to see you this evening. -
We were delighted to welcome the Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, to our Parish Eucharist on Sunday as our preacher and celebrant. Bishop Christopher was visiting St Mary's for the final time before our Vicar, Revd John Hayward, retires this coming July. @southwark_cathedral
