St Gabriel's church, Houlton

04/09/2026

Just a quick post about our Hymns and Pimms event at St John's (our sister church in Hillmorton)…please do come along tomorrow for a few hours of sharing hymns, nibbles and refreshments. Everyone is welcome.

📍St John the Baptist, The Locks, Hillmorton, CV21 4PP
📆Tomorrow, 5th September
🕰 2.30pm

01/09/2026

30/08/2026

Just a quick reminder that the picnic will not be taking place today.

29/08/2026

Unfortunately due to the recent and forecast weather tomorrow’s family picnic has been cancelled.

26/08/2026

There will be NO service at St Gabriel's Church, inside St Gabriel's Academy this Sunday 30th August. Instead we will be holding a Family Picnic in the play park.

25/08/2026

Getting to know the PCC - John Merrigan

The reason I came to St John’s and Gabriel’s was because I was invited by a previous Vicar - Margaret, to come and help with the music part of services - playing the organ/piano.

This was about 2017 and it was also because I was a Christian and had a vision and commitment to church growth and encouraging Christians to continue to grow in their faith (discipleship).

I have been an organist and led music in worship for many years including St. Matthews, St. Andrews and St Peter & St. John’s in Rugby. I was a chorister in St Andrew’s choir and learned to play the organ there. I actually made my decision to follow Jesus when I was 12, on a christian camp, in field at Priors Marston! I enjoyed working on a farm in Grandborough for most of my teens – all weekends and school holidays.

When I was 19, I suffered a bad motorcycle accident which immobilised me for a couple of years. Following that, I went to Bible College for 3 years, came back to ‘secular’ work, joined the Onley youth custody chaplaincy team (which included forming a worship band from the ‘residents’ to provide music for Sunday services) and then met the wonderful, lovely Helen McDonald, became engaged and married in June 1992. We have 2 wonderful sons Josh and Ben (both profoundly deaf, needing much demanding support, when young) and a lovely daughter in law – Nicola, married to Josh.

Am I running out of text space?

No, ok.... I started to work with the ambulance service in 2010, becoming a paramedic in 2013. I then started another job alongside the ambulance work, as a training officer in a Northampton hospital, training Doctors and Nurses in Immediate life support, dealing with medical emergencies and resuscitation. I became church warden in 2024 and currently manage the parish safeguarding dashboard tool for our parish. Along with my wife the Revd. Helen, we want to serve our parish using the time, gifts and resources that God has blessed us with. We’re both significantly retired from work now – timely or God’s sense of humour 😀- as our interregnum needs a lot more input from others and ourselves.

23/08/2026

There will be NO service at St Gabriel's Church, inside St Gabriel's Academy on Sunday 30th August. Instead we will be holding a Family Picnic in the play park. More details to follow.

21/08/2026

We meet at St. Gabriels C of E Academy, Houlton at 4:00pm on a Sunday afternoon, with refreshments from 3:45pm. This is very informal and interactive worship for the whole family in a warm friendly atmosphere where all are welcome.

Our congregation has a lovely mix of all ages, including families with young children, families with teenagers, and adults of all ages.

Plenty of parking is available in the school car park. Enter the building via the community entrance (nearest the car park).

Please do come along and join us this Sunday.

20/08/2026

Getting to know the PCC - Hattie Dingwall

Hello! Many of you already know me, but for those who don’t—hello, I’m Hattie. I’m 21 years old and have been attending St John’s for the past two years. I’m really grateful to God for bringing me here, and I’ve loved getting to know so many new people through church—some of whom have become very special to me. I was baptised in February 2025 by Helen and Steve, with my church “grandma,” Brenda (we’re not actually related!), as my sponsor—something I continue to thank God for.

19/08/2026

Something a little different is taking place over at St John's in Hillmorton on the 5th September. This event is now in its 3rd year and is a warm and welcoming event. It's free to attend (donations most welcome).

Please do join us for an afternoon of Hymns, Pimms and nibbles!