The Rector and congregation of this fine medieval church welcome you to their friendly and regular services, or just to look around. The church is generally open during the day-time for private prayer and reflection, and also for the appreciation of its architecture and other points of interest.
Revd. Geoffrey Clement is our Rector.
Kersey is in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich and is part of the Benefice with Aldham, Elmsett, Hintlesham and Chattisham.
New church members are always welcome. If anyone is interested in bell ringing, flower arranging, assisting with fund raising or any other church work then the parish clergy or any of the St Mary’s Church officials would be pleased to hear from them.
Under the Local History page on this website is a sub page for the History of St Mary's Church with further information about our beautiful Grade I listed church building.
Historically, throughout the Middle Ages and into the 17th Century, Kersey had a thriving Shrine. It was based on a Pietà, which means compassion. It drew pilgrims from near and far to the figure of Mary holding the broken body of Jesus. Nowadays visitors to our beautiful church are invited to linger, and to engage with our modern day Shrine in the form of a Prayer Station. This is a contemporary focal point for those with a faith, or for those just wanting quiet contemplation. We offer all who enter a heartfelt welcome, a place of prayer, or spiritual calm and time with God.
24th May No service at Kersey, service at Aldham 11.00
31st May Benefice Holy Communion at Chattisham 10.00 Rev Geoffrey Clement and Jim Sephton
7th June Holy Communion 11.00 Rev Geoffrey Clement
14th June Parish service 11.00 Rev Geoffrey Clement
21st June Evensong Jim Sephton
28th June No service at Kersey, service at Aldham 11.00
5th July Holy Communion 11.00 Rev Geoffrey Clement
12th July Parish service 11.00 Rev Geoffrey Clement
19th July Evensong 6.30 Jim Sephton
26th July No service at Kersey, service at Aldham 11.00
Celtic morning prayer every Tuesday at 9.30 with Rev Geoffrey Clement
For more information about services please refer to the Kersey newsletter, delivered to all homes in Kersey and published on this website, or contact the Churchwarden.
St Mary's Parochial Church Council hold various fundraising activities every year. Events will be advertised in the Kersey Newsletter.
Revd. Geoffrey Clement email: revgclement@gmail.com 01473 657316
Churchwarden Mrs Rachel Wells email: rachel@kersey-village.co.uk 01473 822230
Secretary Mrs Linda Newbigging 01787 210137
Treasurer Colin Grannell 01473 829074
Weddings:
For all enquiries about weddings at St Mary’s Kersey, please contact Revd Geoffrey Clement
Would you like the church floodlit to celebrate an anniversary, birthday etc? If so please contact Rachel Wells on 01473 822230 or rachel@kersey-village.co.uk
The cost is £10 per night.
Kersey Church has 8 bells ranging in weight from 3cwt to 14 cwt. Practice night is every Thursday from 7.45pm until 9.30pm, to which beginners, learners and experienced bell ringers are most welcome. At present Kersey is very short of ringers so please come and give it a go. There is 30 minutes ringing before every morning Sunday service.
The object of the Friends of the Bells is to promote support for the maintenance and repair of the bells of St Mary’s Church, Kersey and the associated fabric of the bell tower. Membership is open to all; including people from outside the village who are interested in bell ringing. The Friends of the Bells is run by a committee of which the incumbent is an ex-officio member. Further details from:
The Friends of St Mary’s Church Trust was set up in 2019 to help raise funds to protect, restore and develop the fabric of our beautiful church building in Kersey. This is in addition to a similar trust to specifically protect and maintain the eight church bells.
Friends of St Mary’s is separate to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) but works very closely with them. The PCC takes care of the everyday running of the church. The Friends of St Mary’s Church Trust looks after the structural needs of the church as a building of architectural and historical beauty.
The Trust has already helped to fund repairs to the West doors and the area under the bell tower, giving a more dramatic welcome to visitors with a spectacular view down the nave to the vestry. The future focus is to restore both the North and South entrance porches to their former glory, as well as opening the passageway up to the top of the bell tower to access the incredible views across Suffolk. The view from the top of St Mary’s Church is reportedly in the top three ‘highest viewpoints’ in Suffolk.
The Trust raises funds in a variety of ways. Classical concerts, music evenings, jazz nights and other events held in Kersey throughout the year, as well as relying on the generosity of both residents and visitors alike to make simple donations to this great cause. You can also join our 500 Club members lottery, the prize money is divided between three lucky winners each month.
For more details of forthcoming events please visit the events page of this website or for more information about FoSM including membership and 500 Club forms please contact Mark Pertwee, details below.
If you would like to know more about the work to protect the fabric of the church building, or indeed become a member or a ‘friend’ of the Trust and make a donation, please send an email to fosmkersey@gmail.com
Flowers are arranged in the Church on special occasions such as Easter, Whitsun, Harvest and Christmas. If flowers are required for weddings, funerals, etc. the arrangers are usually asked to help out. In addition, a meeting is held once a year, just before Easter, to plan the flower rota and also to choose a position in the Church where each arranger is responsible for the flowers during the year.
Further details from Mrs Rachel Wells Tel: 01473 822230
Our parish of St Mary’s Kersey, is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Safeguarding Officer. Our Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer who advises our Safeguarding Officer. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm, please contact the Safeguarding Officer Linda Newbigging 01787 210137 or the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer Karen Galloway 07785 621319 or safeguarding@cofesuffolk.org If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services.
