Welcome to St. Mary's

On behalf of St. Mary's Church, may I welcome you to our Internet site. We would be delighted to hear what you think of the site - please give us some feedback (what you like, what you don't, what you'd like added, etc.) using the Contact page.

Great Dunmow is an ancient North Essex town, renowned for its Flitch Trials, with a rapidly expanding population. I am David Ainge, Vicar of St. Mary's and also of St. Andrew's, Barnston, a neighbouring village. My colleague in ministry is Canon Rosemary Drew.

If you have not visited St. Mary's before, and would like to know what to expect at our services, please read on ...

David Ainge – Tue, 18/04/2006 – 21:12

Riverside Project - August 2010

What’s On In August
We are delighted so many couples and families have contributed wedding photos taken outside the Church. The August Library display will feature pictures taken from the 1950s to the present day, together with treasured memories of everyone’s special day. Our thanks go to everyone who has participated. We are particularly grateful to Mike & Sue Perry and David Lipson Photography for their help with this project. The display includes a photograph taken by David Lipson of Mike & Sue’s own wedding on 22nd September 1975. The happy couple are seen coming out of the Church through an arch of camera tripods.
Anonymous – Sat, 24/07/2010 – 08:26

Rumble in the Jungle

The summer holiday activity in Dunmow for primary school kids – the Churches’ Summer Holiday Club at the United Reformed Church in New Street. The dates are August 3rd and 5th, and the Club is open from 9.15am until 12 noon. Admission costs £2 per child, and includes games, snack, puppet show, songs, crafts – lots of fun.

On the 4th August (12 noon until 2pm) there’s a related Picnic in St Mary’s Church grounds at Church End – anybody and everybody can come to that – just bring your own picnic and look after your own kids.

Further details are available from Jo Hargrave (872995)
Patrick Whittick – Sat, 24/07/2010 – 08:17

The Lord is my shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want;
he leads me beside still waters,
he restores my soul.

These very familiar words from Psalm 23 are amongst the most well-known words of the Bible. They speak of a peace and tranquillity that many seek - and sometimes find.

David Ainge – Thu, 01/07/2010 – 00:00

Just a Thought - July

July has always seemed to me a month filled with hope, as school terms draw to a close and the summer holidays are imminent — the days are filled with all sorts of possibilities. In my head I picture long hot days enjoying family time, and it seems that everyone has a lighter step and an easier smile.

Now it may not work out quite like my imagination, come September I may look back and realise that the tiny summer tops bought in anticipation of blazing sun remained in the closet under a cloudy sky, and the barbeque was not charcoaling quite as much as hoped for, and the family may get so fed up spending time together that we all fall out. But for the moment there is this glorious feeling of hope.

Elsie Bouffler – Thu, 01/07/2010 – 00:00

Diary of a Country Churchyard - July 2010

The Diary of a Country Churchyard is a joint project between Dunmow Library and St. Mary’s Church.

Stone Conservation Workshop Day - Update
Skilled stone conservator, Antonia Hockton, ran a successful, great practical workshop day on 12th June. With the help of 8 enthusiastic participants 4 of the old table top tombs have been carefully cleaned and simple repairs carried out. Antonia’s enthusiasm for her craft and depth of knowledge on stone work meant that the group learnt much during the day. If anyone would like to get involved in the continuing conservation programme in the Churchyard please get in touch.

Anonymous – Thu, 01/07/2010 – 00:00

Weddings are up

The doom-mongers are proved wrong yet again! Having wrongly predicted the demise of marriage as a helpful institution, they have tried to convince the public  that the churches are closing down. Let it be clearly heard, church life is as busy as it has ever been.

Currently there is a boom in the number of couples wanting to be married in church. This year, at St Mary’s alone, there will be three times as many weddings as there were here three years ago. Why? Nice old church … nice old vicar… who knows? We are glad to rejoice with those who are rejoicing.

If you are thinking of getting married, why not contact Canon David Ainge (872504) to explore the possibilities?
Patrick Whittick – Sat, 04/07/2009 – 09:18

First Sunday Evenings

Every Sunday evening there is a Service at St Mary’s beginning at 6pm. These are a mixture of Communion and non-Communion Services.  However, on the First Sunday evenings the Services are extra-special one-off Services to celebrate the Season of the Year, or a particular style of worship, or a noted anniversary. Sometimes we have the choir. At other times it is all congregational singing. Occasionally, there’s no music at all. But on every occasion the form of Service is interesting and innovative. So why don’t you come along and taste and see – you may find it is exactly what you’re looking for.
Patrick Whittick – Wed, 11/03/2009 – 21:37

Say one for me, Vicar

Time and again, people in the street ask that we pray for them. Sometimes the words are spoken in jest. Sometimes there’s a real need for a prayer. Every Sunday in each of our Barnston & Dunmow churches we pray for all sorts of people. On some occasions there are specific prayers for particular people. On the first and last Sundays of the month after the morning service, and on the third Sunday evening of the month in the actual service, we make time and space to pray for healing and well-being for anyone who comes. If we can help, we’d love to say one for you. We can only know to pray for you, if you come and tell us!
David Ainge – Fri, 30/06/2006 – 20:53