St Mary's Church, Thatcham, Berkshire, UK

Baptisms and Thanksgivings, Confirmation, Weddings and Funerals.

Baptism (or christening) may be performed on individuals at any age; babies, children and adults may be baptised.

Services are held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month at 12 noon or 3pm. If you feel that it is right for your child to be baptised within the Parish Communion service at 10am then this is also possible.

For more details about Baptisms and Thanksgivings at St Mary's please click here.

You should contact the Parish Office to book a Baptism or a Service of Thanksgiving.

Admission to Communion

On Advent Sunday there is a celebration for those taking their first communion. Children in the Explorers group receive relevant teaching to build up to this in the autumn term. The teaching is usually based the on a specific theme, like The Lord's Prayer.

Confirmation

Every year a service of confirmation is held, usually during May or June. If you or any member of your family would like to consider being confirmed, or you would like to find out more about exploring the Christian faith for yourself, then please speak to one of the clergy or contact the Parish Office.

Those wishing to be confirmed attend a series of preparation meetings that are held during the time leading up to the Confirmation Service.

There is also a special service each year, usually in advent, for those taking communion for the first time.

Weddings and Blessings

St Mary's Church is a lovely setting for a wedding, and we are pleased to welcome those who wish to be married or wish to have their marriage blessed. Please read the Wedding Details if you are considering getting married.

You should contact the Parish Office for arranging to have Banns of Marriage read.

It is a great privilege and pleasure to conduct weddings and Blessings of Marriages. Our Parish Administrator will be pleased to answer your questions about dates, costs and all that is needed to make your day very special.

We delight also in helping couples to celebrate significant milestones in their marriage and in Services of Blessing for those who have been previously not married in church.

Funerals

St. Mary's is used extensively as the right place for funeral services to take place and the clergy see it as a privilege to conduct such services. Initial enquiries should be directed to the funeral directors who then contact the church. However the clergy are very willing to plan the service with families and help them through the funeral process so please contact them if you feel you need help.