Christianity in Glastonbury

Glastonbury has been recognised as a spiritual centre since time immemorial and it said thatthere once was a Druidical College here. Myths and legends abound including the idea that Jesus was brought here as a boy by his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea and built, with his own hands, a wattle church dedicated to his mother, Mary.

After the crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea is said to have journeyed to Glastonbury with disciples. He settled here and built twelve small hermitages around the original wattle church built by Jesus. This is said to be first Christian community in England.

A historical Glastonbury Abbey begins to emerge from the mists of legend in 600AD, and in due course this grew into the great Benedictine Abbey of the Middle Ages. At its height, the Abbey was one of the largest and most splendid in England, possibly second only to Westminster

All this came to an end in 1539 with the martyrdom of Richard Whiting, the last Abbot, and the destruction of the Abbey church and buildings

Today, despite the destruction of the Abbey, Christianity is alive and well in Glastonbury. The Abbey Ruins are set in a wonderful open space in the very centre of the town and Christian Churches abound. In this section we will introduce you to some of the current Churches in Glastonbury.

This is a 'work in progress'. If you would like to be included in this section please contact us by email.

Abbey Retreat House: Abbey House, Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, BA6 8DH.

Abbey Retreat House welcomes both groups and individuals for residential and non-residential visits.

The Vision of Abbey House embodies a Christian welcome to people of all ages, seeking spiritual growth. From its roots in the Anglican tradition the house welcomes those of other Christian traditions and all those on a Spiritual Journey.

Website: www.abbeyhouse.org/

Contact/Warden: Liz Pearson 01458 831112 email link

St. Benedicts Church (Anglican)

Sunday Service:10.30 am For details of all their regular services see their website.

St. Benedict's is located near the top of Benedict Street, which continues down from the bottom of Glastonbury High Street.

The church is not currently left open, but a key is available for visitors in a nearby shop - see the notice on the north gate (the one that opens onto the road) for details.

Website: www.stbens.ukpc.net/

Contacts: Parish Office tel. 01458 830 060 (Open week-day mornings except for wednesday).

Vicar: Reverend David MacGeoch: email link

Glastonbury Abbey

Even after almost 2000 years, pilgrims still come to Glastonbury Abbey to take part in services, which continue the Abbey's tradition as a living church.

Every week throughout the year, services are held in St. Patrick's Chapel – every Tuesday at 10.30am. This chapel was founded by Abbot Richard Beere in 1500 and so has been witness to 500 years of Christian worship. In the summer months this service may transfer outside, to the crypt of the Lady Chapel, if the weather is fine.

Summer is the high point of the modern-day Glastonbury Pilgrimage. Begun by a few local Somerset churches in 1924, the pilgrimage has become a public expression of personal faith. Groups of worshippers come from all over Britain and Europe. On a Saturday in June, at noon, pilgrims gather inside the Abbey ruins. They then process from the Abbey and down the High Street with banners flying, as a procession of witness. Then returning to the ruined nave of the Abbey church, the assembled multitude of Christians receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist from the presiding bishop and the priests and deacons who are there to assist him.
On the same day, an Orthodox service is held in the ruins of the Lady Chapel to venerate the icon of Our Lady of Glastonbury. Musicians, choirs and actors entertain the pilgrims as the day progresses. Later in the day, the pilgrims again assemble in the ruins of the abbey to hear Pilgrims prayers and Evensong.

Later in the year the Roman Catholic Pilgrimage, on a Sunday, begins on the slopes of Glastonbury Tor, where the Bishop of Clifton and a visiting dignitary lead the singing pilgrims down to the ancient Abbey ruins where Mass is then celebrated.

Church groups are welcome to make their own pilgrimage to the abbey at other times during the year. Prior arrangement is essential - please contact the custodian.

Communion service in St Patricks Chapel at 10.30 every Tuesday

See website for details of events, including any other services that might be on during the year: www.glastonburyabbey.com/

Read 'A Hasty history of the Abbey' at: www.isleofavalon.co.uk/history/webb.html

Read 'The history and Geometry of Glastonbury Abbey' www.isleofavalon.co.uk/history/pennick.html

Contact: 01458 832267 email link

Glastonbury Methodist Church

Located nearly opposite the top of the High Street on Lambrook St.

Sunday Service: 10.45 am - Junior Church meets at the same time.

Tuesdays 10.30-11am: Prayer meeting.

Wednesdays 2.30pm: Fellowship for all - with a varied programme of interest.

Fridays 10.30am-12 noon: Open coffee morning.

There are also House Groups meeting in several peoples homes.

Contact: Revd. Nick Lakin: 01458 832 267 email link

Glastonbury United Reformed Church

Sunday Service: 10.30am.This church welcomes children to join in with the life of the church and runs a 'junior church' as part of its Sunday worship.

Womens Fellowship: Most Wednesdays at 2.45pm- This is an informal devotional meeting with a speaker. (This group joins in with the Methodist Wednesday meeting at times, so call to check where it is. )

On 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month there are prayers for Glastonbury at 2pm.

Knitwits 2nd & 4th Thursday 2.30- Knitting & chat group, You can either knit to donate to charity or bring your own personal Knitting project. Expert advice on hand.

Fresh Expressions on first Thursday of each month at Bay Tree Cafe- 7pm. Relaxed, open prayer meeting organised in collaboration with St Bens. 'Cafe' format exploring faith

Website: www.midsomerseturc.net/page20.htm

Contact: The Revd. Tim Richards: 01458 252799 & Evelyn Ridout: 01458 832819

St. John The Baptist Church (Anglican) High St. Glastonbury.

The church is open daily Monday to Friday from 10.30 am to 12.30 p.m
and most afternoons until 4.00 pm for quiet, prayers and refreshments.

Prayer for Healing, both physical, spiritual and emotional, has been available on an individual basis for many years, with people bringing requests for themselves, their family and friends, and for issues in a wider context in the world. Every Tuesday, Market Day, the prayer team is available in one of the side Chapels of the Church from 10.30am - 12.30pm, and also on Sunday during the morning Eucharist service at 9.30am. Times of all church services

Labyrinth: There is a Labyrinth in the churchyard, intended for prayer and meditation. More info on this from Glastonbury Pilgrim Reception Centre.

Website: www.stjohns-glastonbury.org.uk/

Contacts: Parish Office tel. 01458 830 060 (Open week-day mornings except for wednesday)

Vicar: Reverend David MacGeoch: email link Associate Vicar: Reverend Martin Mudie: email link

The Shrine of Our Lady St. Mary of Glastonbury (Roman Catholic)

The Church is situated opposite Glastonbury Abbey on Magadalene Street.

This is place of special veneration. It is the home of the Shrine of our Lady St. Mary of Glastonbury (restored by the Holy See in 1955),which was originally in the first wattle church built in Glastonbury in pre-saxon times.

Annual DiocesanPilgrimage and other events through-out the year. See website for details.