“Congratulations to all concerned” says the announcement. The overall aim of the Eco Church award scheme is to celebrate the ways that church communities have been engaging with caring for the earth as a key part of our Christian faith.
St Mary’s is a stunning church that is situated in Langley. With a friendly and hospitable congregation you will definitely be made to feel welcome!
It is an informal church and you can absolutely come as you are. Children are also very welcome and the services aim to engage with all ages. There are some toys available but, should you want to, you are welcome to bring your own toys….noisy children are NOT a problem!! For the vicar too was a noisy child!! So please know that you and your family are very welcome.
St Mary’s worship style is relaxed and informal because we want to remove as many barriers as possible as we all journey together in getting to know the God who loves us unconditionally. Through modern worship songs and the informal approach we like to give space to God to meet with us as well.
The services are all ‘morning celebrations’ because we are thankful and celebrate the the Good News of Jesus Christ. Some of the services include Holy Communion which is how Jesus asks us to remember him by gathering together and sharing bread and wine.
History
In the early 1970s the parish of St. John the Evangelist, Willington was united with Otham. Then in 1982 these two were joined with St. Mary, Langley to form the present parish of Otham with Langley. The parish now has a population of approximately 7,500.
Langley’s Anglo-Saxon church was destroyed by fire and a new church was built during the 13th and 14th centuries. The Reverend William Bouverie Pusey, who became Rector in 1842 was not happy with the building and decided to construct a new church at his own expense on the foundations of the existing church which would be demolished. The new building was designed by William Butterfield and was dedicated in 1855.
A toilet was built into the fabric in the 1990s but apart from that the church has changed little since it was built.
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