What to expect
St Matthew’s Bethnal Green is a Church of England church in the Diocese of London, and is the focus of an inclusive, living Christian community. We gather on Sundays and at many times during the week to worship Christ, pray, learn, socialise and work together to make the world a better place.
We are liberal catholic in tradition. That means many of our services are eucharists, also called Holy Communion or Mass, and we celebrate the role of the saints and of ancient Christian practices and traditions in our worshipping life.
We are part of the Inclusive Church network and welcome people of all lifestyles and backgrounds to worship with us. Our PCC has voted in favour of the ordination of women to the episcopacy and to offer the Prayers of Love and Faith.
We are big on making community together: some of us have been here for decades, others only for a few months, but we work together across all lines of difference, trusting in God’s Spirit to equip us to seek God’s Kingdom in the world.
Key dates and parish rhythms
- Sunday Mass at 10.30am, followed by refreshments and often a parish meeting or bring-and-share lunch.
- Wednesday Choral Evensong at 7.30pm, with a warm welcome to stay for food and drink afterwards.
- Thursday Mass at Silk Court Care Home at 11.30am.
- The church is open for private prayer every day.
Our parish has also hosted special visits and events, including parish strategy days and visits from the Bishop of Stepney, and our worship is shaped by a rich musical and liturgical life.
Parish life and giving
“All things come from you, O God, and of your own do we give you.” We give because God sustains all life and gives generously what we need, and we believe that God calls us to be good stewards of the gifts given to us, using them wisely and well for our own health and for the building up of God’s kingdom.
The easiest and most tax-efficient way to give is through the Parish Giving Scheme. If you would like to sign up to give regularly, or make a one-off donation through this scheme, please email Dawn Bigsby, our Parish Admin, at admin@st-matthews.org.uk.
Sometimes people who have worshipped at St Matthew’s or been part of the parish choose to leave a donation to the church in their will as part of their legacy. We have recently received donations towards children’s work, general ministry and specific building projects. If you are interested in donating to the parish in your will, please speak to the churchwardens or PCC about how best to do this with the support of a solicitor, family member and/or funeral arranger.
How to get involved
A frequent question we get is, “How can I get involved in parish life?” or “How can I join St Matthew’s?” The best way to start is to come along regularly. We meet on Sundays at 10.30am and often stay afterwards for refreshments and conversation.
Email admin@st-matthews.org.uk or use the newsletter sign-up link to join our weekly Mailchimp e-newsletter, usually sent out on a Monday.
St Matthew’s maintains an electoral roll for everyone in our congregation. If you joined the parish after April 2023, you need to fill in a form to join the roll. If you filled in a form last year, you do not need to complete a new one. Forms can be found at the back of the church or by emailing admin@st-matthews.org.uk.
We are always looking for people who can help with the service itself or with projects that serve and reach out into the community. If you are interested in any of the following, email admin@st-matthews.org.uk:
- Helping in the service: readings, prayers, welcoming, teas and coffees, supporting the priest with communion.
- Helping with kids’ ministry: Choir Church after-school club on Thursdays.
- Helping out with our Community Garden.
- Getting involved with Community Organising.
- Joining a small group for faith sharing, fellowship and Bible study.
Occasional offices and family history
If you are interested in having a wedding, prayers of thanksgiving after a civil wedding or civil partnership, baptism or funeral in our church, please contact us. We also welcome other life-event celebrations such as wedding anniversaries or memorial services.
If you are researching your family history, we are not likely to have records on site if they predate 1990. Your best bet is to reach out to the London Metropolitan Archives in Clerkenwell where all our old records are stored.