St Mary's Church, Hitchin

13/06/2026

Sunday’s Gospel Reading:

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’ Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

12/06/2026

10/06/2026

We really appreciate the support and generous help of our neighbours in the Churchyard, especially Kim at Halsey's Deli & Visit Hitchin who put together the raffle for us. We don't have a total profit figure just yet, but every little helps to keep our church thriving and functioning to benefit the whole community. The wonderful independent businesses who surround the church & gave prizes are listed below (not to forget Opticians Shepard & Akay who also donated!) Our volunteers including bellringers who guided visitors to see our bells, Mothers' Union who provided refreshments, the fundraising team generally and not least Bridget our Archivist who led fascinating history tours, all deserve grateful thanks for helping on the day.
We hope to see many more visitors to events in the Church during Hitchin Festival which starts at the end of this month!

A HUGE thank you to the Churchyard businesses who were able to support this year’s Churchyard Day Raffle! We love it when local town centre businesses work together 😍

The raffle attracted support from a range of Hitchin businesses, with prizes including two £50 food hampers from Halseys Deli & Eatery, afternoon tea for two at Hitchin Priory Hotel, a £50 voucher and consultation from Mill Fabrics, a £50 voucher from Gemini Fashions, £50 craft hamper from The Haberdashery and designer sunglasses from Shephard & Akay Optometrists.

Other prizes included a £30 voucher from Webb's of Hitchin, five £10 vouchers from Simmons Bakers, three £95 vouchers from The Hearing Clinic, a Hitchin cookbook and apron from Visit Hitchin, and a one-hour style consultation plus £30 voucher from DalianiBoutique.

The money from the raffle has helped to raise vital funds towards ongoing restoration work at the Grade I-listed church, one of Hitchin's most recognisable landmarks.

St Mary's Church, Hitchin.

10/06/2026

The Rt Revd Dr Andrew Rumsey has formally become Bishop of St Albans, following the Confirmation of his Election yesterday at St Mary-le-Bow in the City of London.

When his appointment was announced earlier this year, Bishop Andrew described his return as “a homecoming”, reflecting on his roots in the Diocese where he was born and baptised.

The Confirmation of Election now enables him to take up the legal responsibilities of the role. Bishop Andrew will move to St Albans and begin his ministry in the Diocese later this year. Further steps will follow, including paying Homage to His Majesty the King and his installation at St Albans Cathedral on Saturday 19 September. Arrangements for tickets will be announced soon.

Read the full story: https://www.stalbansdiocese.org/news/confirmation-of-election/

06/06/2026

Sunday’s One Bread One Body Reading:

Acts 2:1-4, 6-8, 11
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? In our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’

06/06/2026

Come & visit St Mary’s today while you are in the Churchyard! We have a children’s lucky Dip & colouring competition, tours of the bells until 2 pm & Church tours until 3 pm as well as a jigsaw sale & refreshments on offer in the Church House Hall! It’s too wet to go on the roof but there are loads of other things to enjoy & apparently we are getting a visit from our founder ‘King Offa’ at noon! Roll up for the Grand Raffle Draw at 4 pm followed by a free celebration Concert by Greensward!

03/06/2026

As we continue to contemplate the Holy Trinity, we pray:

02/06/2026

It’s Churchyard Day this Saturday! Come along from 10am until 5pm in church for some early summer fun in the heart of Hitchin.

The Churchyard area celebrates its wonderful local businesses & St Mary’s holds an Open Day with tours while Church House will provide refreshments from the Mothers Union.

Tours of the Church will be held on the hour from 10am in groups of 15 until 3pm (with a break at 1pm) led by our archivist and knowledgeable historian Bridget, explaining St Mary’s rich history. The Historical society will also join in with a display about Saxon times.

St Mary’s ringers will offer tours of the Bells from 10 am until 2 pm and also to the Tower roof if weather permits.

Tower visit £5 charge for adults over 18 (entry subject to safety assessment).

Free celebration Concert at 4pm after our Grand Raffle Draw with the superb Greensward Folk Rock Band. Inspired by the great British Folk Rock Bands of the '60s & 70s, Hitchin's talented local performers will start the party from approximately 4-5pm. Donations will be collected in aid of St Mary's.
Refreshments will be available.

Also happening: Churchyard Day Hitchin 10am- 4pm
Free Family-Friendly Events around the cloisters & churchyard featuring: The Corn Hill Alpacas, Children’s Entertainment Swords of Penda – Children of Loki historical re-enactment, Food & Drink, Monkey Music Hitchin, Shop Window Trail, Face Painter, Hitchin Rock Choir at 3pm & More

Weather permitting the banners of many colours, knitted at St Mary’s will be dropped from the top of the tower to the ground on the morning of 6th June as part of the church yard day. They will be taken down in the evening. After the drop the knitting will be sewn into blankets and sent to our overseas project in Malawi. We’re hoping for fine weather and no mishaps!
Please come and support the day and admire the banners. They should look amazing!

There will be a Churchyard Day Raffle in aid of St Mary’s.

02/06/2026

The views of St. Mary's Church in Hitchin from Windmill Hill offer a picturesque and serene sight, blending the historical charm of the town with the natural beauty of its surroundings. As you gaze from the hill, the church's impressive architecture stands elegantly amidst the landscape, its spire reaching towards the sky and providing a timeless focal point.

The lush greenery surrounding the church, interspersed with charming rooftops of the town, adds to the peaceful ambiance, especially during the golden hours of sunrise or sunset. This vantage point not only showcases the architectural beauty of St. Mary's but also offers a moment of tranquility and reflection, making it a cherished spot for both locals and visitors alike.