About Us
We are now part of the Rossendale Team of nine parishes forming a Mission Community within the Bury and Rossendale Deanery
St Mary's remains Biblically orthodox in its Christian faith (as defined in the '39 Articles of Faith and the historic formularies of the Church of England). Jesus is Lord of every area of our shared and private lives.
We're all on a journey of repentance and transformation, it would be great to share with you on the same journey
Our Vision
Our vision is:
"To reveal Jesus as we love God and serve others in the power of His Spirit."
Our Purpose
To enjoy fellowship as we worship in Spirit and Truth, grow in discipleship, develop in ministry and deploy in mission
Prayer Request Form
Please submit your prayer requests by completing the box below and clicking Send Prayer Request
Notices
Big Church Party
Saturday 31st October 2026
5:00pm
Fun and games at St Marys Church. All ages welcome.
Men's Encounter Service
Sunday 22nd November 2026
6:30pm
Location: St Marys Church
Carol Service
Sunday 20th December 2026
Evening (TBC)
Location: St Marys Church
Communion
Communion with Make & Take
Friday 25th December 2026
10:00am
Location: St Marys Church
Regular Events
Morning Services
Sunday 11:00AM
Sunday school for children during part of the service
Family Service
1st Sunday of month
Suitable for the whole family to join in or with Sunday school for children
Holy Communion
2nd and 4th Sunday of month
Sunday school for children during part of the service
Morning Prayer
3rd Sunday of month
Mothers' Union
3rd Monday of month 7:30pm
Group for anyone, ladies or men who are interested in the cultivation of family life
Soup and a Sandwich
2nd Wednesday of month 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Free soup and a sandwich lunch, open to everyone
House Groups/Bible Study
We currently have two groups, please contact church for more details
On-line Service
Church Services
All service Readings and Prayers will be posted here and on our Facebook page.
Prayers
25th October 2026 by Sue
Good morning. – Let us pray
This week has seen a change in temperature, nights drawing in, leaves falling from the trees, a drop in daytime and evening temperatures. Many have turned the heating on for the first time since the warmer summer months, others are braving the cooler days and nights by wearing additional layers of clothing. Whichever one applies to you, we give thanks to God for the changing seasons and for His provision.
Lord, in your mercy….Hear our prayer.
We give thanks for our friends and our families. We pray for those who are anxious. Some of them are unwell and are awaiting test results and some are in need of an operation or awaiting a hospital appointment. Please strengthen them and comfort them as they wait.
Lord, in your mercy….Hear our prayer.
We pray for the Big Church Party on Saturday, that it will be well attended. Thank you that this is an alternative to the Halloween parties which will no doubt be being held at the same time. We pray for protection around all who know you and all who will attend St Mary’s on Saturday evening. We ask for your blessing on all who come and pray that a strong alternative, Christian message will be clearly given.
Lord, in your mercy….Hear our prayer
A week tomorrow is the next Renew for Ladies. We pray for those who have planned and prepared for this and for all who will attend, that the evening will be one of blessings.
Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer
We pray the children who are on half term this week that they will be kept safe as the darker evenings begin.
Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer
We pray for those who are facing hospital appointments or operations. We ask that you will be with them and give them your peace in their anxious times.
Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer
We continue to pray for a successful outcome for our “Expression of Interest” to the Church Renewal Fund . We pray also for the appointment of a Team Rector. We ask that Your hand will guide the person of your choice to apply for the position.
Lord, in Your mercy….hear our prayer
We also bring before you those who have been affected by the recent heavy rains and floods, some for the first time, others for the second or third time. Please help them to stay strong and positive.
Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer
Finally, we ask for your blessings on Team St Mary’s, the leaders and children who attend Sunday school, for our commitment to being an Eco Church, for the Rossendale Team, for our local community and for our local foodbanks.
Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer
We ask these prayers in the name of our Lord and Savio
Bible Sunday
25th October 2026
Today is Bible Sunday and 500 years since Tyndale published his English translation of the New Testament. During the service we went back 500 years to reflect on what church services were like then, and to learn a little about Tyndale but also Wycliffe, another translator of the bible into English and who, along with Tyndale, suffered at the hands of the established church.
We had a picture quiz guessing which Bible story was depicted, and we sang (and some danced to - sort of!) the “B I B L E” song.
5 members of the congregation then came forward to tell us about a bible verse(s) that had a particular significance for them and to explain why. The bible verses in question were:
Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Together with Isaiah 62:4 - for the Lord will take delight in you.
John14 1-4
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Psalm 143 v 8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
2 Timothy 3.14
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
We also looked at Paul’s letter to the Colossians, chapter 3 v12-17 and asked ourselves whether we were clothed as Paul set out in those verses.
The Sunday School also focused on it being Bible Sunday and came back into church to tell us what they had been doing.
Thanks to everyone who took part in the service today, it was great to hear from everyone.
Communion Reflection
This is a short Communion Reflection that you can join at any time. There is a quiet period within it that you can pause if you want a longer period of reflection
Safe Guarding Policy
At St Mary’s, Rawtenstall we work hard to maintain a safe environment for all. We are committed to implementing the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policies and good practice guidance.
If you have any concerns or enquiries regarding safeguarding, please contact our safeguarding officer.
- Parish Safeguarding Officer: Vicky Rhodes
- Phone: 01254 389589
A hard copy of the ‘Manchester Diocese Safeguarding Handbook’ and the ‘Church of England – Parish Safeguarding Handbook’ are available for inspection in the vestry at St Mary’s.
The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is Abbey Clephane-Wilson, she can be contacted at
- Email: safeguarding@manchester.anglican.org
- Phone: 0161 828 1465
- Mobile: 07384 460958
Out of Hours Support
The Diocese of Manchester partners with thirtyone:eight and you can access their Safeguarding Helpline if the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is unavailable. Thirtyone:eight can be contacted on 0303 003 1111.
This also includes any safeguarding queries outside of office hours on weekdays and weekends. An Information Sharing Agreement between the two organisations will allow the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser to receive a copy of the advice thirtyone:eight may offer the caller.
In the case of an emergency
If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Service. Lancashire County Council on 0300 123 6720 or outside of working hours 0300 123 6722
Helplines
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours).
- Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours).
- Parent Line: 0808 800 2222
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours).
- Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours).
- Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)
Facts
Some interesting facts about St Mary's Rawtenstall
Year Opened
Average Congregation
Downstairs Capacity
Electoral Roll (2020)
Activities
- All
- Adults
- Scouts
- Guides
Mothers Union
3rd Monday, 7:30pm
Rainbows
Monday, 5:30pm
Ladies Fellowship
Alt. Wednesday, 2:00pm
Beavers
Wednesday, 6:15pm
Brownies
Monday, 6:30pm
Mens Breakfast
1st Saturday, 8:15am
Cubs
Tuesday, 7:00pm
Scouts
Thursday, 7:30pm
Guides
Monday, 7:30pm
Our Churches/Friends
Team
Meet the team of people at St Mary's who keep the building functioning, but the real church is not the building but the people who use the building.
Revd Samuel Hameem
Team Vicar in the Rossendale TeamRevd Samuel Hameem
Julie Barratt
Associate MinisterJulie Barratt
Pete Terry
Church WardenPete Terry
Jean Lang
Church WardenJean Lang
Nick and Suzanne
Childrens WorkSuzanne & Nick
Contact Us
Please contact us if you need any further information, or clarification of services/times. We will try and get back to you as soon as possible.