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Our community
What defines us?
TRADITIONAL ANGLICAN WORSHIP
LIBERAL ORTHODOX PREACHING
St Bartholomew the Great is London’s oldest surviving parish church, offering traditional Anglican worship and preaching to a new generation. Using the words of Cranmer and the King James Version of the Bible, with a professional choir singing music from across the Western choral tradition, we add our prayers to a building hallowed by worship for 900 years.
Our congregation is drawn from across London and delights in welcoming all, regardless of their background, race, sex, or sexuality. We have a lively Family Service at 10am at St Bartholomew the Less, with a Eucharist co-designed by the children at which they serve, read, ring bells, and sing. Every week we also welcome hundreds of fellow-worshippers online from all over the world, many of whom drop in when they’re in town.
We worship the Living God: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We are a part of the Church of England, and you can find a summary of what we, as Anglicans, believe here on the Church of England’s website. The Catechism of the Church of England is also useful for exploring what our faith is about.
Who are we?
Faith and fun in the heart of London
Our worship of God is augmented by the fun we have in each other’s company, and which we hope you will join!
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Our Sunday services now draw in more than two hundred people across four services, including our 11am Choral Eucharist, our Family Service, and Evensong - these range from Barbican residents to people travelling-in from across London. Our midweek services see us join together during worship and for drinks and food afterwards. There are many activities throughout the year including book clubs, Lent courses, celebrations of the Jubilee and the Coronation, and drinks in the cloister.
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Families and children of all ages are welcome at all of our services.
Our 10 am Sunday service (held at St Bartholomew the Less) is specifically aimed at families and gives opportunities for children to participate in the service (e.g. by reading or serving) and to have their say on the arrangements for the 10am service via the “Council of the Wise”.
For those who may require them at the 11 am Sunday service, colouring books and other materials are available at the sidesmen’s table in St Bartholomew the Great.
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There are many young adults (aged 18-35) in our congregation. They include students, those who work in the City, and those who travel across London to our services.
That is reflected in our activities and in our governance. Many young adults volunteer on church rotas (e.g. by serving coffee, serving at the altar, and joining the sidesmen team) and serve on the PCC and its committees.
Furthermore, in recent years, the Parish has begun to lead retreats for young adults specifically (in addition to retreats open to all the congregation). We hope this will continue to nurture our young adult congregation in the exploration of their faith, amidst a joyful and close community.
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St Bart’s regularly holds baptisms and confirmations for those who require them. Before the service, there is normally a six week class (more in the form of a book club) which meets in the Cloister. You can find out more here or contact the Rector.
For more information on how to arrange an infant baptism with us, please see here.