The Abbey Church,
Waltham Abbey

 

Welcome

Due to the Covid-19 emergency, the Abbey Church is closed and, with the exceptions listed below, no services, activities or events are currently taking place. Our Services page has more details and resources that you can use at home.

We can currently open the Abbey Church for:

  • Worship services for a limited number of attendees.
  • Private prayer (Good Friday only).
  • Baptisms, weddings and funerals with a limited number of attendees. These can be arranged with the Parish Office.

In all cases, strict social distancing must be observed and face coverings must be worn.

Photograph of Waltham Abbey Church, viewed from the south east.We welcome you to the parish community of Waltham Abbey. We hope that you enjoy your visit to our website. Do share with us your views, hopes and concerns. You will discover a vibrant parish that tries to respond to the needs of others and to be of service to the local community. We are by no means perfect, but we do try to live and proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

The parish of Waltham Abbey is part of the benefice of Waltham Holy Cross (which is itself part of the Deanery of Epping Forest and Ongar Deanery of the Diocese of Chelmsford). There are four Church of England churches within the benefice.

  • The Abbey Church, which is the church of Holy Cross and St. Lawrence and is the parish church of Waltham Abbey.
  • St. Lawrence Church, Ninefields, which is a district church within the parish of Waltham Abbey.
  • St. Thomas Church, the parish church of Upshire.
  • Holy Innocents Church, the parish church of High Beach.

Photograph of the interior of Waltham Abbey Church, viewed from the west end.

We are committed to Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults. The PCC has adopted the Church of England’s policies and best practice on safeguarding which may be found on the Church of England website and also on the Diocese of Chelmsford website. Our Safeguarding Officer can be contacted via the Parish Office. Epping Forest District Council also has a safeguarding policy.

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×Covid-19 Update

Dear Friends,10th April 2021

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Prince Philip yesterday. As a period of National Mourning has begun, please keep Her Majesty and the rest of the Royal Family in your prayers at this very sad time.

Tomorrow at both the 8.30 a.m. service of Holy Communion and the 10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist prayers will be offered for Prince Philip, Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal Family, our Nation and the Commonwealth. Because of Covid 19 safety concerns and following instructions from Buckingham Palace and the Government, books of condolence will not be made available for the public to sign in churches and council offices as has previously been the custom. Instead you are encouraged to follow the link to the Church of England website, where you can sign a national condolence book virtually and leave a message should you wish.

The Union Flag has been lowered to half mast where it will remain until the day of Prince Philip's funeral service and last night the traditional ringing rite of the Nine Tailors took place. A bell was tolled nine times and then a further ninety-nine times in commemoration of Prince Philip's age.

A vigil service for Prince Philip will be held in the Abbey Church on Friday 16th April at 6.00 p.m. This will be videoed and made available on the Services page.

This page contains some prayers and short statements from our own bishops and another from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

With every blessing at this very sad time.
Peter

The Rev'd Peter H. Smith,
Team Rector,
Waltham Holy Cross Benefice