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Site Last  
Updated on  
March 7th 2008  

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    introduction
    ChurchSpaceWelcome to St Mary's Church of England Church, Selattyn, Shropshire.

    Minister in charge:
    Revd. Adrian Bailey
    The Vicarage, Old Chirk Road
    Gobowen Shropshire SY11 3LL
    Tel/fax No 01691 661226
    E-mail: arb2@totalise.co.uk

    Location of Selattyn:
    Selattyn is a small village in Shropshire about 4 miles northwest of Oswestry and just over a mile from the Welsh border. Click here to see the whole area on a small scale map. The location of Selattyn can easily be seen in relation to Oswestry and the surrounding area. Click here to see the village of Selattyn in detail on a map - scale 1:25,000. The position of the church in the village can be easily seen. Both these maps will be shown in a separate window.

    St. Mary's Vision Statement:
    We are a community of people, loved by God, united by our loyalty to Jesus, and guided and empowered by God's Holy Spirit. We are committed to regular worship and prayer, to applying the Bible to our lives, and to growing in our faith; we seek to be generous in giving, and to have buildings suited to both worship and outreach. We seek to express God's love in being loving and caring, joyful and compassionate, generous and friendly, warmly welcoming old and young, as we seek to bring others to know Jesus. We value our links with the local community and the school.

    Please click on the links on the left to view the various parts of this site. We hope you enjoy your visit to our site. If you are ever staying in our area please visit us at one of our services. You will be made very welcome.


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    Services
    Sunday morning services
    1st Sunday of the month at 8.00 am:
    Holy Communion (traditional rite - no hymns)

    1st Sunday of the month at 9.30 am:
    Informal Family Service + Sunday school

    2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of the month at 9.30 am:
    Holy Communion (modern rite) with hymns

    At Easter and Christmas there may be additional services. For Remembrance Sunday the time may be slightly different. Contact The Revd Adrian Bailey (above) for details.

    Evening and midweek services
    These are held only on special occasions (e.g. Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Ascension day, Harvest and Christmas)

    Please join us at any of our Services - you would be most welcome. Coffee is usually served after the Sunday morning service.


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    Registers
    Tracing ancestors/copies of baptism or marriage certificates.
    If you want information on someone who was baptised, married or was buried at St Mary's Selattyn, we will try to help you and if necessary provide a certified copy of marriage or baptism. Please note that in accordance with normal Church of England practice a fee is payable for searches and copies of certificates.
    Contact Revd Adrian Bailey for such requests: arb2@totalise.co.uk.

    St Marys hold the following historical records:
          Baptisms from 5.12.1852 to the present
          Weddings from 10.7.1837 to the present
          Burials from 1.1.1813 to the present.

    Original records before those dates are held by the Shrewsbury County Records office, tel 01743 255350. However both St Marys and Oswestry Library have a typed record in book form of baptisms, weddings and burials from 1557 to 1812.


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    Faith
    If you are interested in being confirmed, or would like to find out more about the Christian faith, then contact The Revd Adrian Bailey for the latest details of courses available (arb2@totalise.co.uk).


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    Baptisms
    If you live in the parish of Selattyn, it's usually possible to be baptised at St Mary's. If you don't live in the parish you would have to show a connection, and a baptism could only go ahead if the vicar in the parish where you live gave permission.

    The baptism of babies and young children would take place during our informal family service at 9.30 am on the first Sunday of the month or at another time to suit you.

    Preparation sessions are held with the parents beforehand to help them to understand the implications of the promises they will be making. For older children and adults who want to be baptised, a lengthier preparation is usual.

    The baptism service, and the promises you will be making, can be viewed on the Church of England web site, www.cofe.anglican.org.

    To apply, please contact The Revd Adrian Bailey (arb2@totalise.co.uk).


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    Weddings
    Selattyn church is a perfect venue for your wedding. It is a grade 1 listed medieval church, nestling attractively in the hills around. You will be assured of a warm welcome. Having God's blessing on your wedding is the best way to start married life.

    If at least one partner lives in the parish of Selattyn and neither of you has been married before, you should normally be able to get married at St Mary's. In accordance with the Church of England's practise, those who have been married and divorced cannot normally be remarried in church. However in certain cases, providing certain conditions are met, an exception can be made.

    We are also happy to conduct services of blessing - both for those who have just got married in a civil ceremony and also for those who were married years ago but want their marriage blessed.

    The marriage service, and the promises you will be making, can be viewed on www.cofe.anglican.org. www.weddingguideuk.com is another useful site for making your wedding preparations.

    To apply, please contact The Revd Adrian Bailey (arb2@totalise.co.uk).

    The 2008 fees are expected to be as follows:
          £247 standard Church of England fee
          £22 calling of banns of marriage*
          £3.50 marriage certificate (fee may rise from 1.4.08)
          £55 organist/use of organ fee
          £30 fuel charge (£60 in winter)
          £free- ringing of bells (taped recording)
          £free- video or photos of service
          (but you may need a copyright license depending on what is proposed)
          * assumes both bride and groom live within parish.
          Different legal fees may be incurred in other circumstances.


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    History
    The first mention of the church is in the Papal taxation records for 1291. But the situation of the church in an oval churchyard points to the likelihood that Christian worship has been offered here for well over 1000 years. The bowl of the font dates from the 13th Century and the beautiful barrel roof over the chancel is perhaps as old as the 14th Century.

    In the Middle Ages the church would have been a simple oblong, consisting of the Nave and Chancel, perhaps a tower. The internal nave roof timbers are from about the end of this period, namely the 15th Century. The north and south transepts were not added until 1821-28. Then in 1891-92 the church was extensively rebuilt, with the addition of the north aisle and the red sandstone arches, while red roof tiles replaced slates. There are two Kempe windows in the church.

    The church was restored in 1996, and in 2001 brought up to date with toilet facilities for disabled and able bodied persons.

    St Mary's church is open during the day from Easter until Harvest-time. It is a place to visit and admire. It is also a house of prayer and contemplation

    for 'Where there is God, there is peace'.

    If you would like a tour of the church just ring Miss Betty Shaw on 01691 658876. A cup of tea or coffee can also be provided.


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    Faith
    If you wish to see large pictures of the thumbnails below, just click on the individual picture. The large picture will appear in a separate window.


    The Knave

    The East Window

    The Font

    The North Aisle

    The Organ

    The Barrel Roof

    New Screen and Door

    The South Door

    View of Tower from sw


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    Faith
    Friends of St Mary's
    The friends of St Mary's consist of local people. They work to provide funds to help preserve the fine medieval church for future generations. If you would like to join them please contact Mrs Kathy Butler, membership secretary, on 01691 670001.

    Organisations for children/young people
    Sunday School for primary school age children: This meets on the first Sunday of the month at 9.30 am in the church vestry. There is a varied programme of teaching and activities.
    There are usually additional activities or services for children and young people at Christmas, Easter, and on other special occasions.

    Selattyn CE Primary school: This is just around the corner from the church. It has a good relationship with the church and many school events take place within it. Follow this link to their web site: Selattyn CE Primary School

    Organisations for parents/families
    Mothers' union: The Mothers' union (MU) is a world-wide organisation which exists to promote and strengthen family life and Christian marriage. Details of it's history and aims can be found on it's website. Selattyn members meet in members own homes. Contact Mrs Lillian McKie, Branch leader, on 01691 659761 for further details.

    Organisations concerned with deepening Christian faith
    There are opportunities to join in events in the neighbouring parish of Gobowen. There's a Bible study group in Gobowen church hall every Friday from 2.00 pm - 3.30 pm. There is usually a Study course during Lent and sometimes groups at other times studying a particular theme. Additionally there are courses run on a deanery basis (i.e. the Oswestry and district area) which serve a number of churches. Contact The Revd Adrian Bailey (arb2@totalise.co.uk) for the latest information.


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    Events
    Easter Services
    Maundy Thursday 20th March 2008 9.30 am:
    Holy Communion

    Good Friday 21st March 2008 at 2.0 pm:
    Devotional Service

    Easter Sunday 23rd March 2008 at 8.00 am and 9.30 am:
    Services of Holy Communion

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    Monday 14th April 2008 at 7.30 pm:
    Annual meeting followed by PCC at Selattyn School

    Thursday 1st May 2008 (Ascension Day) at 9.30 am:
    Holy Communion

    Tuesday 6th May 2008 at 7.00 pm:
    Coffee Evening at Oaklea, Hengoed

    Sunday 1st June 2008 at 10.30 am:
    Holy Communion with Guest preacher The Bishop of Lichfield.
    All Saints Gobowen will join us.
    Lunch for everyone in church afterwards.

    Friday 6th - Sunday 8th June 2008:
    Festival of arts, crafts and flowers featuring local talent in church.
    Church open daily 10.00 am - 5.00 pm (Sunday from 11.00 am).
    Free admission. Charge for programme. Refeshments available.
    Special service on Sunday 8th June at 9.30 am

    Saturday 12th July 2008 at 2.30 pm:
    Summer Fete at Church

    Sunday 7th September 2008 at 1.00 pm:
    Parish Barbecue at Gobowen Vicarage

    Wednesday 8th October 2008 at 7.30 pm:
    Harvest service followed by supper at Cross Keys.

    Saturday 25th October 2008 at 10.00 am:
    Autumn Fair until 12.00 pm

    Sunday 9th November 2008 at 10.00 am:
    Remembrance Sunday Service

    Other events will be added when they have been organised.


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    Other Sites

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