Benefice of Haughmond and Wrekin, Shropshire

OUR BENEFICE

The Benefice of Haughmond and Wrekin is a grouping of twelve parishes (thirteen churches) set amongst beautiful countryside in rural Shropshire nestled between Shrewsbury to the west and Telford to the east. The benefice is named after two hills situated close to its western and eastern boundaries - Haughmond Hill and The Wrekin. Much of the southern boundary of the benefice follows the River Severn.

The benefice includes large centres of population in the villages of Admaston, Allscott and Bratton on the north western edge of Telford with the remainder of the benefice consisting of smaller communities in villages and hamlets.

The twelve parishes are Buildwas, Eaton Constantine with Wroxeter, High Ercall, Leighton-under-the-Wrekin, Longdon-on-Tern, Rodington, Rowton, Uffington, Uppington, Upton Magna, Withington and Wrockwardine.

The benefice is situated within the Diocese of Lichfield and is a member benefice of the Deanery of Shrewsbury and Wrekin.

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OUR WORSHIP

On most Sundays we offer worship in all of our twelve parishes. Most parishes have a common service time each week but some parishes vary the service times from week to week, so please check the times detailed on this website if you are planning to attend one of our services. Occasionally (usually, but not exclusively, on the fifth Sunday in a month), we hold joint services where people from a number of parishes in our benefice meet together to worship.

We offer a range of services in our churches, some using formats from the Book of Common Prayer and others based on the more recent Common Worship formats. Wherever you choose to join us, and whatever service is being held when you attend, you can be assured of a warm welcome.

FOR OUR YOUNGER PEOPLE

We have three Praise and Play groups meeting in the benefice:

Every Friday morning (during school terms) at Wrockwardine Church, 10am
On the first Tuesday of each month at Rodington Church, 10am

On the third Friday of each month at St Lucia's Church, Upton Magna at 9am.

Click these links to keep in touch with our Praise and Play groups

Rodington Praise and Play
Upton Magna Praise and Play

Wrockwardine Praise and Play

There are also Praise and Play online videos on the Benefice's YouTube channel.

Lucy's Lambs, a group for children aged 5 or under and their parents/carers, meet at St Lucia's Church, Upton Magna on the second and fourth Fridays of each month from 9am - 10.30am. Toast, Hot Drinks, Toys, Story-time and Singing.

Visit Lucy's Lambs Facebook group

Bubble Church is a free, puppet-packed, Jesus-centred, coffee-and-croissant-fuelled, thirty minute kids and families adventure.

Here's the deal: you turn up at Upton Magna Village Hall for croissant and a coffee, then you'll be guided to a 'bubble', and you and your little ones will share in thirty minutes of song, story, puppets, and prayer.

Bubble Church at Upton Magna Village Hall is on the third Sunday in each month at 9.15am

Book NOW for Bubble Church Christingle on 15 December

Benefice Bubble Church Facebook page

We have four Messy Churches meeting around the benefice:

First Sunday of the month - High Ercall Village Hall, 9.30am

Second Sunday of the month - Rodington Village Hall, 3pm

Third Sunday of the month - Ellerdine Village Hall, 9.30am

(not in December)

Fourth Sunday in the month - Wrockwardine Village Hall, 4pm
(not in December)

You can follow our Messy Church communities via their Facebook pages:

Messy Church serving High Ercall and surrounding areas

Messy Church serving Rowton and Ellerdine

Messy Church will meet on:

Sunday 5 January at High Ercall Village Hall, 9.30am
Sunday 12 January at Rodington Village Hall, 3pm

Sunday 12 January at Ellerdine Village Hall, 9.30am
Sunday 26 January at Wrockwardine Village Hall, 4pm

We have two Youth Cafés in the benefice:

Every Friday evening (during school term time), 7 - 9pm in Longdon Village Hall

Monthly at Upton Magna - details to follow.

We play games, have craft activities, support the Rotary shoebox scheme and or course have a café time of hot chocolate and pizzas, chip butties or other delights. Our meetings include worship and reflection

We have two Open the Book teams in the benefice serving the primary schools in Bratton, High Ercall and Upton Magna. There is a team from outside the benefice who provide Open the Book into Crudgington Academy. We hope to soon have a team available to provide Open the Book into Buildwas school.

EVENTS

There are a number of regular COFFEE MORNINGS each month, including Rodington Church every Wednesday from 10.30 - 11.30am, Eaton Constantine Village Hall on Monday 6 January (10am to 12noon) Wrockwardine Church on Tuesday 7 January (10am to 12noon) and Withington Parish Room on Wednesday 8 January (10.30am to 12 noon).

CAROL SERVICES will be held at churches in the Benefice during December. The first is on Thursday 12 December at Rodington at 7pm. The following Saturday, 14 December there is a carol service at Buildwas at 7pm. On Sunday 15 December there are carol services at High Ercall (6pm), Uppington (6pm) and Wrockwardine (6.30pm). On Thurday 19 December, Longdon holds its Carol Service at 7pm and on the Sunday before Christmas (22 December), there are carol services at Eaton Constantine (6.30pm), Leighton (11am), Uffington at 11am, and Withington at 4pm.

REVD OLIVIA HAINES has been appointed Team Vicar in the South Lakes Benefice in the Diocese of Carlisle. Olivia will complete her curacy in the Benefice on 20 December. There will be a Holy Communion service at St John the Baptist's church in Withington on Sunday 15 December at 11am followed by lunch in the Parish Room. Everyone from parishes across our benefice is invited to attend this service on her final Sunday working in the Benefice. Olivia's licensing at St Mary's Church, Windermere is on Tuesday 14 January at 7pm.

OASIS meets in Upton Magna church on the third Wednesday of each month (next on Wednesday 20 November) offering refreshments and a good chance to catch up. Attendees will sing some of their favourite songs and hymns.

OUR TEAM

Team Rector:

Associate Minister:

Revd Christine Tough

christine.v.tough@gmail.com

07975-654678

Curate:

Revd Olivia Haines

revoliviahaines@outlook.com

07494-781216

Reader:

Tom Currie

tomandshirley77@gmail.com

07973-454551

Lay Minister:

Rosalie Wheeldon

michael.wheeldon2@btinternet.com

01952-770247

Team Vicar:

Revd Ian Naylor

iandjnaylor20@gmail.com

01952 -771518

Local Lay Mission and Outreach Minister:

Di Woolridge
missionhaughmondwrekin@gmail.com
07970-607498

Reader:

Rhys Morris

rhys@disciple.plus.com

07434-452677

Reader:

Hilary Phillips

hilaryphillips@live.co.uk

01952-770632

Community Lay Minister:

Jim Tough

jimtoughwv@gmail.com

07975-654678

SERVICES

You can view the Church of England's online service by clicking on the image below.

Thursday 12 December
Carol Service at Rodington at 7pm
Saturday 14 December
Carol Service at Buildwas at 7pm
Sunday 15 December Third Sunday of Advent
Buildwas:
Eaton Constantine:
High Ercall:
Leighton:
London upon Tern:
Rodington:
Rowton:
Uffington:
Uppington:
Upton Magna:

Withington:

Wrockwardine:

9.30am
6.00pm
3.00pm
9.30am

6.00pm
9.15am

11.00am

6.30pm
NO SERVICE - see Saturday 14
Morning Worship
Carol Service
Crib and Christingle
Family Worship
NO SERVICE
NO SERVICE
NO SERVICE
Carol Service
Bubble Church Christingle in the Village Hall
Holy Communion -
Revd Olivia's farewell
Carols by Candlelight
Thursday 19 December
Carols by Candlelight at Longdon on Tern at 7pm
Sunday 22 December Fourth Sunday of Advent
Buildwas:
Eaton Constantine:
High Ercall:
Leighton:
London upon Tern:
Rodington:
Rowton:
Uffington:

Uppington:
Upton Magna:
Withington:
Wrockwardine:
3.00pm
6.30pm
11.00am
11.00am
9.30am
11.00am
9.30am
11.00am

4.00pm
4.00pm
8.00am
11.15am
Worship in the Village Hall
Carol Service
Morning Worship
Carol Service
Morning Worship
Holy Communion
Carol Service
Carol Service in the Village Hall
with the Stipperstones Brass Band
NO SERVICE
Evening Worship
Carol Service
Holy Communion
Morning Worship
Christmas Eve
Buildwas:
Eaton Constantine:
High Ercall:

Leighton:
London upon Tern:
Rodington:
Rowton:
Upton Magna:

Wrockwardine:
11.30pm
3.30pm
3.00pm
11.30pm
11.30pm
9.00pm
4.00pm
9.30am
3.00pm
11.30pm
3.00pm
11.30pm
Carols into Christmas
Crib Service and Christingle
Crib Service
Midnight Communion
Midnight Communion
Christmas Communion
Crib Service
Holy Communion
Crib Service and Christingle
Midnight Communion
Crib Service
Midnight Communion
Christmas Day
Eaton Constantine:

High Ercall:
Rodington:
Uppington:
Withington:
Wrockwardine:

10.30am
9.30am
9.30am
9.30am
11.15am
Joint Christmas Communion
at Uppington 9.30am
Family Christmas Communion
Family Christmas Communion
Christmas Communion
Family Christmas Communion
Family Christmas Communion
Sunday 29 December First Sunday of Christmas
Benefice Service of Thanksgiving with Holy Communion
at Wrockwardine at 11.15am
Sunday 5 January Second Sunday of Christmas / Epiphany
Buildwas:
Eaton Constantine:
High Ercall:

Leighton:
London upon Tern:
Rodington:
Rowton:
Uffington:
Uppington:
Upton Magna:
Withington:
Wrockwardine:
3.00pm
9.30am
8.00am
9.30am

11.00am
9.30am
11.00am

9.30am
6.30pm
11.15am
4.00pm
Holy Communion
Morning Worship
Holy Communion
Messy Church/Family Worship
in the Village Hall
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Morning Worship
NO SERVICE
NO SERVICE
NO SERVICE
Morning Worship
Evening Worship
Family Worship
Holy Communion
Sunday 12 January Baptism of Christ
Buildwas:
Eaton Constantine:
High Ercall:
Leighton:
London upon Tern:
Rodington:

Rowton:

Uffington:
Uppington:
Upton Magna:
Withington:
Wrockwardine:
3.00pm
9.30am
11.00am

9.30am
3.00pm

9.30am
9.30am

9.30am
9.30am
9.30am
8.00am
11.15am
Holy Communion
Morning Worship
Holy Communion
NO SERVICE
Morning Worship
Messy Church / Family Worship
in the Village Hall
Morning Worship
Messy Church/Family Worship
in Ellerdine Village Hall
NO SERVICE
Morning Worship
Holy Communion
Family Worship
Holy Communion
Morning Worship
Sunday 19 January Second Sunday of Epiphany
Buildwas:
Eaton Constantine:
High Ercall:
Leighton:
London upon Tern:
Rodington:
Rowton:
Uffington:
Uppington:
Upton Magna:
Withington:
Wrockwardine:
3.00pm
9.30am
11.00am

9.30am
11.00am

9.30am
9.15am
6.30pm
11.15am
4.00pm
Evening Worship
Holy Communion
Morning Worship
NO SERVICE
Family Worship
Holy Communion
NO SERVICE
NO SERVICE
Holy Communion
Bubble Church in the Village Hall
Evening Worship
Holy Communion
Evening Prayer
Wednesday 22 January
Holy Communion at Wrockwardine, 10.30am
Evening Worship at Uppington, 7pm
Sunday 26 January Third Sunday of Epiphany
Buildwas:
Eaton Constantine:
High Ercall:
Leighton:
London upon Tern:
Rodington:
Rowton:
Uffington:
Uppington:
Upton Magna:
Withington:
Wrockwardine:
3.00pm
9.30am
11.00am

9.30am
11.00am
9.30am

4.00pm
9.30am
8.00am
11.15am
4.00pm
Worship in the Village Hall
Morning Worship
Morning Worship
NO SERVICE
Morning Worship
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
NO SERVICE
NO SERVICE
Evening Worship
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Morning Worship
Messy Church/Family Worship
in the Village Hall

Buildwas - Holy Trinity Church
Services at 3.00pm unless otherwise stated
Saturday 14 December
Sunday 15 December

Sunday 22 December
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day

Sunday 29 December

Sunday 5 January
Sunday 12 January
Sunday 19 January
Sunday 26 January
Carol Service (7pm)
NO SERVICE
Holy Communion at Withington at 11am - Revd. Olivia's farewell
Worship in the Village Hall
Carols into Christmas (11.30pm)
Christmas Communion at
Uppington at 9.30am
Benefice Service of Thanksgiving with Holy Communion at Wrockwardine at 11.15am
Evening Worship
Holy Communion
Evening Worship
Worship in the Village Hall
Eaton Constantine - Church of St Mary the Virgin
Services at 9.30am unless otherwise stated
Sunday 15 December

Sunday 22 December
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day

Sunday 29 December

Sunday 5 January
Sunday 12 January
Sunday 19 January
Sunday 26 January
Morning Worship
Holy Communion at Withington at 11am - Revd. Olivia's farewell
Carol Service (6pm)
Crib and christingle (3.30pm)
Joint Christmas Communion Service
at Uppington at 9.30am
Benefice Service of Thanksgiving with Holy Communion at Wrockwardine at 11.15am
Morning Worship
Morning Worship
Holy Communion
Morning Worship
High Ercall - St Michael and All Angels' Church
Services at 11.00am unless otherwise stated
Sunday 15 December

Sunday 22 December
Christmas Eve

Christmas Day
Sunday 29 December

Sunday 5 January

Sunday 12 January
Sunday 19 January
Sunday 26 January
Carol Service (6pm)
Holy Communion at Withington at 11am - Revd. Olivia's farewell
Morning Worship
Crib Service (3pm)
Midnight Communion (11.30pm)
Family Christmas Communion (10.30am)
Benefice Service of Thanksgiving with Holy Communion at Wrockwardine at 11.15am
Holy Communion (8am)
Messy Church/Family Worship
in the Village Hall (9.30am)
Holy Communion
Morning Worship
Morning Worship
Leighton - St Mary's Church
Services at 11.00am unless otherwise stated
Sunday 15 December

Sunday 22 December
Christmas Eve
Sunday 29 December

Sunday 5 January
Sunday 12 January
Sunday 19 January
Sunday 26 January
Crib and Christingle (3pm)
Holy Communion at Withington at 11am - Revd. Olivia's farewell
Carol Service
Midnight Communion (11.30pm)
Benefice Service of Thanksgiving with Holy Communion at Wrockwardine at 11.15am
Holy Communion
NO SERVICE
NO SERVICE
NO SERVICE
Longdon on Tern - St Bartholomew's Church
Services at 9.30am unless otherwise stated
Sunday 15 December

Thursday 19 December
Sunday 22 December
Christmas Eve
Sunday 29 December

Sunday 5 January
Sunday 12 January
Sunday 19 January
Sunday 26 January
Family Worship
Holy Communion at Withington at 11am - Revd. Olivia's farewell
Carols by Candlelight (7pm)
Morning Worship
Christmas Communion (9pm)
Benefice Service of Thanksgiving with Holy Communion at Wrockwardine at 11.15am
Holy Communion
Morning Worship
Family Worship
Morning Worship
Rodington - St George's Church
Services at 11.00am unless otherwise stated
Thursday 12 December
Sunday 15 December

Sunday 22 December
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Sunday 29 December

Sunday 5 January
Sunday 12 January

Sunday 19 January
Sunday 26 January
Carol Service at 7pm
NO SERVICE
Holy Communion at Withington at 11am - Revd. Olivia's farewell
Holy Communion
Crib Service (4pm)
Family Christmas Communion (9.30am)
Benefice Service of Thanksgiving with Holy Communion at Wrockwardine at 11.15am
Morning Worship
Messy Church/Family Worship
in the Village Hall (3pm)
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Rowton - All Hallows Church
Services at 9.30am unless otherwise stated
Sunday 15 December

Sunday 22 December
Christmas Eve
Sunday 29 December

Sunday 5 January
Sunday 12 January

Sunday 19 January
Sunday 26 January
NO SERVICE
Holy Communion at Withington at 11am - Revd. Olivia's farewell
Carol Service
Holy Communion
Benefice Service of Thanksgiving with Holy Communion at Wrockwardine at 11.15am
NO SERVICE
Morning Worship in church (9.30am)
Messy Church/Family Worship
at Ellerdine Village Hall (also 9.30am)
NO SERVICE
Holy Communion
Uffington - Holy Trinity Church
Services at 9.30am unless otherwise stated
Sunday 15 December

Sunday 22 December

Sunday 29 December

Sunday 5 January
Sunday 12 January
Sunday 19 January
Sunday 26 January
Holy Communion at Withington at 11am - Revd. Olivia's farewell
Carol Service (11am) with the Stipperstones Brass Band in the Village Hall
Benefice Service of Thanksgiving with Holy Communion at Wrockwardine at 11.15am
NO SERVICE - see below
NO SERVICE - see below
NO SERVICE - see below
NO SERVICE - see below
Uppington - Holy Trinity Church
Services at 9.30am unless otherwise stated
Sunday 15 December

Sunday 22 December
Christmas Day
Sunday 29 December

Sunday 5 January
Sunday 12 January
Sunday 19 January
Wednesday 22 January
Sunday 26 January
Carol Service (6pm)
Holy Communion at Withington at 11am - Revd. Olivia's farewell
NO SERVICE
Christmas Communion
Benefice Service of Thanksgiving with Holy Communion at Wrockwardine at 11.15am
NO SERVICE
Morning Worship
Holy Communion
Evening Worship (7pm)
NO SERVICE
Upton Magna - St Lucia's Church
Services at 9.30am unless otherwise stated
Sunday 15 December

Sunday 22 December
Christmas Eve

Sunday 29 December

Sunday 5 January
Sunday 12 January
Sunday 19 January

Sunday 26 January
Bubble Church Christingle in the Village Hall
(meet at 9.15am)
Holy Communion at Withington at 11am - Revd. Olivia's farewell
Evening Worship (4pm)
Crib Service and Christingle (3pm)
Midnight Communion (11.30pm)
Benefice Service of Thanksgiving with Holy Communion at Wrockwardine at 11.15am
Morning Worship
Holy Communion
Bubble Church in the Village Hall
(meet at 9.15am)
Evening Worship (4pm)
Withington - St John the Baptist's Church
Services at 9.30am unless otherwise stated
Sunday 15 December

Sunday 22 December
Christmas Day
Sunday 29 December

Sunday 5 January
Sunday 12 January
Sunday 19 January
Sunday 26 January
Holy Communion (11am)
- Revd. Olivia's farewell
Carol Service (4pm)
Holy Communion
Benefice Service of Thanksgiving with Holy Communion at Wrockwardine at 11.15am
Evening Worship (6.30pm)
Family Worship
Evening Worship (6.30pm
Holy Communion
Wrockwardine - St Peter's Church
Wednesday 11 December
Sunday 15 December

Wednesday 18 December
Sunday 22 December

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day
Sunday 29 December

Wednesday 1 January
Sunday 5 January

Wednesday 8 January
Sunday 12 January

Wednesday 15 January
Sunday 19 January

Wednesday 22 January
Sunday 26 January

Wednesday 29 January
10.30am
6.30pm

10.30am
8.00am
11.15am
3.00pm
11.30pm
11.15am
11.15am

11.15am
4.00pm
10.30am
8.00am
11.15am
10.30am
11.15am
4.00pm
10.30am
8.00am
11.15am
4.00pm

10.30am
Holy Communion
Carols by Candlelight
Holy Communion at Withington at 11am - Revd. Olivia's farewell
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Morning Worship
Crib Service
Midnight Communion
Family Christmas Communion
Service of Thanksgiving with
Holy Communion
NO SERVICE
Family Worship
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Morning Worship
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Evening Prayer
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Morning Worship
Messy Church/Family Worship
in the Village Hall
Holy Communion

Holy Trinity Church, Uffington is temporarily closed for assessment of recent plaster falls.
The Christmas Carol service on 22 December will be in the Village Hall

Drop-in Hour of Prayer at St Peter's Church, Wrockwardine every Tuesday between 12noon and 1pm.

There is a service of Holy Communion at St Peter's Church, Wrockwardine
every Wednesday at 10.30am (except Christmas Day and New Years Day).

OUR CHURCHES

Buildwas - Holy Trinity Church

Holy Trinity Church at Buildwas dates from 1720 and replaced a medieval church. The book "The Buildings of England: Shropshire (Newman and Pevsner, 2006) describes it as “a diminutive building”. The chancel of the church was “gothicised” in 1864. The pulpit of the church is Jacobean. Its west gallery dates from 1720 and is supported by strong square pillars which also support the bellcote. The east chancel window dates from around 1864 and depicts scenes from the life of Christ. The church hosts a number of nineteenth century memorial tablets.
Postcode: TF8 7DA, Map reference: SJ 643045
Crudgington - St Mary's Church

St Mary's church in Crudgington is in the Parish of High Ercall, built in 1863 by J L Randal. It has a wooden bell chamber and spirelet
Postcode: TF6 6JY, Map reference: SJ 632181
Eaton Constantine - St Mary's Church

The present church building, which replaced the original medieval church, was built in 1847-48 by Thomas Smith of Madeley. It has a two-bay chancel, vestry, nave, south porch (the entrance) and a "bellcote". There are steep roofs and a buttress. It has a circular Norman font.
The box pews are unusual and there is a west gallery supported on iron columns. The organ, which can still be played, dates
from 1762.
Postcode SY5 6RF, Map reference SJ 599062
High Ercall - St Michael and All Angels Church

Although not mentioned in the Domesday Book there seems little doubt that the original church was built around the year 1090. The church was enlarged in about the year 1200 when the present fine arcades were positioned where the outer walls formerly stood.
History has little to relate about the fortunes of the church until the momentous years of the Civil War when, in 1645, during the siege of the Royalists in the adjoining Manor House (now the Hall), it suffered considerable damage. In the year 1689 it was recorded that a peal of four bells was already hanging in the belfry, two more were added seventeen years later, and the last two were hung in 1812. The bells have been restored on a number of occasions since then. This fine peal of bells is rung regularly throughout the year. In 1998 a new bell-ringing floor was installed creating an area for kitchen and toilet facilities below.
The church contains many fine examples of stained glass, an impressive candelabrum, and an effigy of a crusader thought to date
from 1300, amongst many other interesting features.
Postcode: TF6 6BE, Map reference SJ 594175
Leighton - St Mary's Church

The Domesday Book of 1087 mentions Leighton Church. Restored in c.1717 with a classical east window. A part of the font is from
Virconium. The two iron tombs in the Nave, dated 1677 and 1696 were cast in the village where iron was smelt from at least 1650. On the south of the chancel arch is an heraldic device common before and after 1800, which was a memorial of the head of the manorial family. The figure of a Knight Templar in the sancturary is that of Sir Richard Leighton, whose body is said to have been buried in Buildwas Abbey. On the other side is the tomb of William Leighton and Margaret his wife, dated 1540. After the dissolution of Buildwas Abbey in 1534 the rectoral tithe of Leighton Benefice which the Abbey had appropriated centuries earlier, was given by the King to the Manor of Leighton, the owner of which became lay-rector with a seat in the chancel and the responsibility of repairing the chancel. The present bells were cast by Abraham Rudall in 1716 and bear his name and the date.
Postcode: SY5 6RN, Map reference SJ 612053
Longdon on Tern - St Bartholomew's Church

The Church of St Bartholomew is a small 18th century, Grade II listed, Georgian stone and red brick church. Built in 1742 the church has seen major alterations and an extension in the late nineteenth century. On the same site stands the refurbished Grade II* listed Longdon-Upon-Tern village hall, formerly a schoolhouse provided by the Duke of Sutherland and opened in 1849; a decline in population meant the school closed in 1970. The west gallery was refurbished in 2010 and can now be used for musical events. The church has excellent acoustics.
Postcode TF6 6LE, Map reference SJ 618152
Rodington - St George's Church

It is not known how long there has been a village at Rodington. The name is English, meaning the settlement of the people by the River Roden, and English people began to move into the area in the eighth century, although there may have been a settlement before that. The first church was probably built of wood and then replaced with a stone one before the Norman Conquest around 1066. As you enter the church you will see an area of exposed stonework on the wall opposite the door which shows part of the original wall. The original stonework is probably 1000 years old since Rodington is described in the Domesday Book as having a church. The chancel was built in 1843, and eight years later, in 1851, the stone walls were covered in brick and the north aisle was built. The church would then have appeared much as it is now.
Postcode SY4 4QS, Map reference SJ 588143
Rowton - All Hallows Church

The book "The Buildings of England: Shropshire" (Newman and Pevsner, 2006) says of the church of All Hallow at Rowton "Of coarse purple sandstone. Said to be medieval in origin. Nothing datable earlier than 1800, when the nave was reconstructed wider and the broad lancets [windows] inserted. Short chancel, of brick, dated 1881. West porch dated 1882. Weeny west bell turret."
The church is set near a farm, with stunning views over farmland, often with cattle grazing in the fields.
Richard Baxter the English Puritan church leader, theologian and controversialist, called by Dean Stanley "the chief of English Protestant Schoolmen" was born at Rowton on 12 November 1615 and is commemorated there by a small stone obelisk, which stands on a triangle of grass at the centre of the village.
Postcode TF6 6QQ Map reference SJ 613199
Uffington - Holy Trinity Church

Holy Trinity church at Uffington was built in 1856 by S. Pountney Smith. It replaced a medieval building and is built of tooled Grinshill sandstone ashlar. The chancel and nave are in one, with a south chapel and a narrow north aisle. There is a timber framed south porch. Towards the road the gable end of the chancel displays a wheel window over three lancets. There are patterned tiles throughout the church. In the windows there is sixteenth and seventeenth century glass from the Netherlands and Germany, and the square panels in the lancets in the south of the nave came from Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland, two of which are date 1579 and 1658. (See the book "The Buildings of England: Shropshire" (Newman and Pevsner, 2006). The churchyard is a conservation area and has won awards from the Diocese of Lichfield.
Wilfred Owen, the well-known first world war poet, used to attend Holy Trinity at Uffington, crossing the river from Shrewsbury in
a coracle!
Postcode SY4 4SN Map reference SJ 528139
Uppington - Holy Trinity Church

Holy Trinity Church, Uppington was built around the Norman Period. The original architect was George Sidebotham. It was restored and partly rebuilt in 1885 by J.P. Pritchard of Darlington. All financed by the Fourth Duke of Cleveland. It has since been listed as a grade II building. The book "The Buildings of England" (Newman and Pevsner, 2006) says the church building has an early Norman nave and chancel, with some interesting 11th century features. The blocked north doorway, which has some Anglo Saxon features, is carved with a long dragon with loose knots in its tail. There is a Norman window in the south wall of the chancel and there is a three-light 14th century window. The 1885 rebuilding dramatically altered the building, with heightened and strengthened walls, an extended nave, and a new tower.
Uppington's association with Wroxeter with its Roman city can be seen in the apparently Roman altar in the churchyard to the south of the nave. There is also an attractive living ancient yew with hollow centre of 28' girth.
Postcode TF6 5HJ Map reference SJ 601096
Upton Magna - St Lucia's Church

Upton Magna church is dedicated to St. Lucia - one of only two churches in this country dedicated to her, apparently. The first church building was probably a wooden or wattle and daub church and was founded at least as early as the twelfth century, though there is evidence that the chancel dates back to the Norman Conquest. The north wall of the chancel seems to date back to the time when nearby Haughmond Abbey was built (c. 1135). The windows in the north wall seem to date from this period, though the ones in the east wall are a little later, probably thirteenth century and the windows in the south wall are fourteenth century insertions. There was some restoration in the nineteenth century, when the chancel arch was rebuilt and perhaps the east end of the church was also rebuilt. The roof dates from the nineteenth century as does the north aisle and the vestry. The tower was completed in 1475 and
contains a good ring of six bells, the majority from the seventeenth century, though new bells were added in 1907 and 2007.
Postcode SY4 4TZ Map reference SJ 553124
Withington - St John the Baptist Church

The Church was founded in the twelfth Century as a Chapel of Upton Magna. It was entirely rebuilt between 1872 and 1874 in style of the late 13th century. It consists of a 2 bay chancel, with organ chamber on the north side, a 3 bay nave and porch (also on the north side) and at the west end a 4 staged tower, with a clock, topped by a spire which is a landmark for some miles. The fittings include a stone reredos and central panel with relief of the crucifixion, altar rails, an oak lectern and octagonal stone pulpit and font.
There are still a number of earlier features, including the sixteenth century. There are 2 bells, cast in the thirteenth or fourteenth century which hang in a two tier timber frame for 5 bells of about 1800, pre-dating the 1874 tower. These are the 2nd and 3rd oldest Church bells in Shropshire.
Postcode SY4 4PZ Map reference SJ 576129
Wrockwardine - St Peter's Church

St. Peter's church, Wrockwardine is thought to be of Saxon origin. The Domesday Book of 1068 refers to a church and a priest(Odelerius) in the settlement. There have been changes to the church over the centuries, but since the Perpendicular age (late fourteenth century) there have been few major alterations. The church building now consists of a nave and chancel, with north and south transepts.
The north transept houses the Cludde chapel. There is a fine tower with a ring of six bells, which. have been ringing out over the parish for over 600 years.
The churchyard surrounding the church is now closed for new burials, but contains tombs of some of the family of the Earls of Powis, among others. From the church there are stunning views north and east.
Postcode TF6 5DG Map reference SJ 624120

BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS

Baptisms

You can be baptised as an infant or an adult. During the service, water is sprinkled on the head of those being baptised. It is a symbolic act which means that the person being baptised has become part of the family of God. Many parents choose to baptise their children in a service that is sometimes called ‘Christening’ to celebrate the new life of their child and commit to raising the child in the Christian faith.

Thanksgiving for Children

Some parents may not wish to make this commitment at this stage in a child’s life and we also offer a service of thanksgiving following the birth of a child, rather than baptism.

If you are interested in being baptised, or having children baptised, please contact a member of our clergy team who can discuss this with you. You will find their contact details here.

Weddings

Over 40,000 weddings take place in Church of England parish churches every year. Getting married is a really joyful and exciting time, but it can sometimes be stressful. One of our clergy team can offer you guidance and support not only in planning your wedding day, but also in your married life together.

If you’re thinking of getting married in a church, we would love to discuss this with you. Click here to view our team contact information

Services of Blessing and Thanksgiving

If you choose to get married outside of a church in a civil ceremony, you can still have a service of blessing on your marriage in one of our churches. One of our clergy team will be pleased to help you plan the service and advise what sort of service will suit you best.

Funerals

A funeral is used to mark the end of a person's life here on earth. The death of a loved one is an extremely sad and difficult time, so our clergy team is available to offer you help and support. You do not need to be a regular church attender to arrange a funeral; everyone is able to organise a funeral service with us, even if you have never gone to church. Please feel free to contact one of our team if you want to discuss funeral arrangements, or for help and support at this difficult time.

SAFEGUARDING

The Parochial Church Councils of each parish in the benefice of Haughmond and Wrekin take the safety of everyone who comes to church and any of its activities very seriously. They work to safeguarding guidelines provided by the Church of England, for both vulnerable adults and children. The Church of England policies and further information are available on the Church of England website. Each Parish is committed to Safeguarding and has adopted the National and Diocesan Safeguarding Policies. A Parish Safeguarding Policy has agreed by each parish (view/download).

Each parish has a Safeguarding Coordinator who works with the Parochial Church Council to ensure its safeguarding policy and associated procedures are implemented and regularly reviewed. The Parish Safeguarding Coordinator and his/her contact number, together with other emergency contact numbers are listed on this document (view/download).

You can also contact local authorities and charities if you have a safeguarding concern. Visit the relevant website listed below

Telford Safeguarding Community Partnership

Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership

NSPCC, Help for adults concerned about a child: 0808 800 5000

Childline: Help for children and young people: 0800 1111

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Men's Advice Line: 0808 801 0327

Hourglass: Safer ageing - Stopping abuse: 0808 808 8141