Church of St John the Evangelist

The Church of St John the Evangelist

Our small but committed congregation looks forward to welcoming you to our beautiful and historic church.  We are open in outlook, all inclusive, rooted in the Gospel, thankful for the inheritance of faith into which we have entered but always looking to God's plans for the future in Tolpuddle.


We are part of the Benefice of Puddletown for which the vicar is the Rev’d Sarah Hillman (sarah.c.hillman@outlook.com).  We have two church wardens:  Hilly Cobban (hlcobban@gmail.com) and Jayne Brayshaw (jayne.harris9@tiscali.co.uk) and a sacristan. 


Although a small church , we realise we are very important as a part of the village and the Martyrs and are thus anxious to keep the church in good repair as a historic monument as well as offering an active spiritual space.  The church is open every day from dawn til dusk and offers peace and tranquility.


Click here for the Church History page.


Services in St John's:

Services currently (from October 2023) in St John’s are as follows:

First Sunday of the Month at 09.30: 
Parish Communion

Second Sunday of the Month at 17.30:  
Sunday Reflection (readings, poems, music and reflection)

Third Sunday of the Month at 09.30: 
Family Communion

Fourth Sunday of the Month at 10.00:     
Go Fourth (informal service with band, singing, coffee and biscuits)


Please do join us.  For further information about all services contact the church wardens:

Hilly Cobban:  hlcobban@gmail.com or

Jayne Brayshaw:  jayne.harris9@tiscali.co.uk



Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals:

To enquire about Baptism, please come along to any Sunday Service and introduce yourself to the person leading the service.  One of the Clergy will then contact you to arrange a meeting and give you more information.


To enquire about Weddings or Banns of Marriage, please contact the vicar:  Rev’d Sarah Hillman:  sarah.c.hillman@outlook.com

 

For Funerals, please ask your Undertaker or Funeral Director to contact us.


Enquiries regarding flowers for weddings, baptisms or funerals can be made to Marion Regan:  66mregan@gmail.com or 07747 104591


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Food Bank
During the Harvest Festival the Church collected items for a small Food Bank which is situated at the back of the church...……. if you are struggling at this difficult time do come and help yourself - don’t be shy.

There is also information there about other sources of help too.


Parochial Church Council

Our Parochial Church Council (PCC) holds meetings four times a year and discusses such matters as the fabric of the church , the churchyard etc.  The PCC secretary is Heather Saunders:  heather@heathersaunders.co.uk.

 


Events and Fundraising

Our Events Committee now works together with the Village Hall under the banner of Tolpuddle Events Committee (TEC).  It holds several events each year and fundraising from these events helps towards raising in the region of £20,000 per year.  This amount includes our running costs and our “share” to the Diocese (this is in the region of £12,000 pa).


Sadly in 2021 we had to abandon our plans to re-roof the leaking church as our applications for grants were turned down.  We try to keep abreast of the recommendations of the Quinquennial inspection.


Children's Trail

We are pleased to offer a Children's Trail around the church and churchyard together an informative answer sheet.