Feb/March 2026 Important News!: Proposed Pastoral Scheme - with a focus on significant changes to the approach to C of E ministry in Wigmore village: Consultation Announcements - including midnight on 9/03/26 deadline for any representations:
Introductory Explanation:
Last year, following long discussions with and within the Diocese, the Wigmore Abbey PCC requested a scheme which would provide for:
(1) the closure of St James Church Wigmore for normal public worship (thus opening the way for the historic building to be taken over by a body such as the Church Conservation Trust);
(2) pastoral responsibility for the Wigmore area to be passed to the adjacent Mortimer Crosss parishes; and
(3) the opportunity to be taken to designate St Andrews Adforton as a Parish Church rather than a Chapel-of -Ease.
Such Pastoral Schemes have to be worked up by a formal procedure. This one has so far been processed encouragingly quickly. It has now reached the point where the Church Commissioners have to mount a further round of public consultation, which allows for submissions to be made by the 9th March. Accordingly the following (a) formal notice (b) draft Pastoral Scheme (c) Glossary are being made widely available (including via this webpage) so many people are given the opportunity to participate in this round of consultation.
Anyone may make representations for or against all or any part of the draft Scheme to
Patrick Brown, Case Officer ([email protected]), Tel: 020 7898 1599
Church Commissioners, Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ
(please include the reasons for your views) by post or, preferably, by email to reach Patrick no later than midnight on Monday 9th March 2026.
(1) the closure of St James Church Wigmore for normal public worship (thus opening the way for the historic building to be taken over by a body such as the Church Conservation Trust);
(2) pastoral responsibility for the Wigmore area to be passed to the adjacent Mortimer Crosss parishes; and
(3) the opportunity to be taken to designate St Andrews Adforton as a Parish Church rather than a Chapel-of -Ease.
Such Pastoral Schemes have to be worked up by a formal procedure. This one has so far been processed encouragingly quickly. It has now reached the point where the Church Commissioners have to mount a further round of public consultation, which allows for submissions to be made by the 9th March. Accordingly the following (a) formal notice (b) draft Pastoral Scheme (c) Glossary are being made widely available (including via this webpage) so many people are given the opportunity to participate in this round of consultation.
Anyone may make representations for or against all or any part of the draft Scheme to
Patrick Brown, Case Officer ([email protected]), Tel: 020 7898 1599
Church Commissioners, Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ
(please include the reasons for your views) by post or, preferably, by email to reach Patrick no later than midnight on Monday 9th March 2026.
Formal Notice from the Church Commissioners:
| church_door_notice_wigmore.pdf |
Draft Scheme:
| 1_app_draft_scheme_wigmore__2_.pdf |
Glossary of terms etc:
| glossary_p1000.pdf |
St James' Church, Wigmore - Information:
Opening Hours for Visiting
Open every day from 9am to the public during daylight hours.
*This can vary as the church is opened by a group of volunteering wardens, and the opening times are determined by their availability, however the church is open every day, and we aim to have the opening times kept the same.
*This can vary as the church is opened by a group of volunteering wardens, and the opening times are determined by their availability, however the church is open every day, and we aim to have the opening times kept the same.
Services
1st Sunday of the Month: n/a
2nd Sunday of the Month: n/a
3rd Sunday of the Month: Resuming in late Spring 2026 - 5pm Evening Prayer
4th Sunday of the Month: n/a
5th Sunday of the Month: Location of the service varies as it is a gathered service, please check our service calendar or our Facebook page to see where the 5th Sunday Holy Communion and Common Worship service will be happening.
The above information is a general guide and the dates can vary depending on different factors. For the most up to date service times and dates please see our Service Calendar, linked below, or see our Facebook page.
2nd Sunday of the Month: n/a
3rd Sunday of the Month: Resuming in late Spring 2026 - 5pm Evening Prayer
4th Sunday of the Month: n/a
5th Sunday of the Month: Location of the service varies as it is a gathered service, please check our service calendar or our Facebook page to see where the 5th Sunday Holy Communion and Common Worship service will be happening.
The above information is a general guide and the dates can vary depending on different factors. For the most up to date service times and dates please see our Service Calendar, linked below, or see our Facebook page.
How to Find Us
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As you enter Wigmore from Adforton along the A4110, whilst the church is accessed along Castle Street to your right (as parking is extremely limited by the church), please turn left along Wigmore Road and use on road parking including in front of Wigmore Village Community Centre on the left hand side after about 1/4 mile. Then walk back the way you have come, crossing over the A4110 (please be very careful whilst crossing this busy road!) to enter Castle Street on foot. After 1/4 mile turn right into School Lane. St James Church is accessed up some steps on the right hand side shortly after you turn into School Lane.
Parking: whilst the church is accessed along Castle Street to the right soon after entering the village from the Adforton side, as parking is extremely limited near the church, please turn left along Wigmore Road and use on road parking including in front of Wigmore Village Community Centre on the left hand side after about 1/4 mile. If using What3Words: blog.obtain.served |
