Welcome to the StoddenChurches website
The Stodden Churches are a group of six parishes in the northern tip of Bedfordshire, who work together to provide worship, ministry and mission to the villages of Dean (All Hallows’ Church), Melchbourne (St. Mary Magdalene’s church), Pertenhall (St. Peter’s church), Shelton (St. Mary’s church), Swineshead (St. Nicholas’s church) and Yelden (St. Mary’schurch), Swineshead (St. Nicholas’s church) and Yelden (St. Mary’s church). The total population of the six villages is about 1,200 people. All the villages lie within the ancient Hundred of Stodden, whose existence is mentioned in the Doomsday Book.
Stephen Holroyd is the Priest-in-Charge of the Stodden Churches and you can contact him on stephenholroyd@btinternet.com or phone 01234 709740. Do let him know if you would like a visit, prayer, or communion at home.
The Stodden parishes are part of the Sharnbrook Deanery within the diocese of St. Albans in the Church of England. Each of the Stodden parishes is independent. They have delegated all matters relating to worship, ministry and mission to a Joint Parochial Church Council (JPCC) on which each parish is represented. The current Chairman of the JPCC is William Tusting. If you need to contact him please email him at william@tusting.co.uk. The individual parishes, through their own Parochial Church Councils, have responsibility for the maintenance of the church buildings and grounds. Regular services and events are held at all six churches. You will be very welcome at any of our services. For details of services please see the "Services" page.
If you are looking at this site because you are interested in getting married or having your child baptised, or being baptised yourself, do contact Stephen, the Priest-in-Charge, on stephenholroyd@btinternet.com.
Promoting a Safer Church
The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the church and is of the utmost of importance to us. Please see our statement on promoting a safer church which tells you how to get support and what to do if you have any concerns. Our parish Safeguarding Officer is Sarah Croft.