ST MARY THE VIRGIN, HASTINGLEIGH
Holy Communion is offered at Hastingleigh at 9.30am on the 4th Sunday of the month. On the 5th Sunday a United Benefice Service is held at 10:30 am at one of the 10 churches in the Wye Group. The pattern of services may change to accommodate holidays and other special events. Hastingleigh is part of the Stone Street Group of Churches within the Wye Benefice.
SERVICE SCHEDULE
GROUP SERVICE
4th Sunday at 9:30am
All Communion services are for all four congregations of Elmsted, Hastingleigh, Petham and Waltham to worship together. Please do not attend if you are unwell. All are subject to it being considered safe for our church services to continue.
UNITED BENEFICE SERVICE
5th Sunday at 10:30am
When there is a fifth Sunday in the month a 10:30am United Benefice Service will be held at one of the eight churches - please see the Calendar for details. The form of the service is typically either Modern Communion or Morning Prayer.
HISTORY
St. Mary the Virgin is situated in a beautiful quiet valley about a mile from the village centre of Hastingleigh. Worship is recorded from 1293 but there was probably a church here prior to 1066. Today in its well kept and florally decorated interior there are some fine pieces of craftsmanship from local sculptor, Michael Rust and local artist, the late Gordon Davis. There is also a very symbolic and attractive all seasons altar frontal.
Hastingleigh is part of the United Wye Benefice and one of the four “up the hill” parishes; hence there are close links with Elmsted, Petham and Waltham. Services are at 11 a.m. on the 1st, 3rd and 4th Sundays. On the 2nd Sunday there is a joint family service in Bodsham C of E primary school, which is shared with the parishes of Elmsted and Waltham.