Welcome

Welcome to the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Holy Island

"A warm welcome to the church of St Mary's, Holy Island. Our church is open daily to welcome visitors. Come and explore our history, reflect on our Christian story and faith and take a moment to enjoy the stillness and tranquillity of this sacred place."

Revd Canon Dr Sarah Hills

Vicar of Holy Island

St Mary's Opening and Services Times

We are open daily for private prayer

On Sundays:

8am - BCP Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month.

10.45am - Parish Eucharist weekly.

5pm - Evening Prayer

Monday to Friday:

8am - Morning Prayer (Holy Communion on Thursdays)
5pm - Evening Prayer

Please see church noticeboard for any changes.

We are committed to Safeguarding Children, Young People, Victims/perpetrators of Domestic Abuse 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's website: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding

Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Mark Fleeson who may be contacted at church or by email safeguarding@stmarysholyisland.org

Coming up at St Mary's

The St Aidan's Festival celebrates St Aidan's legacy as a peacemaker at St Mary's Church on Holy Island, bringing together worship, music, poetry and reflections through services, concerts, talks, and a singing pilgrimage.

The 2026 festival is a partnership between St Mary's Church, Holy Island, St Martin-in-the-Fields, London and Trinity Church, New York and features performances by members of the Trinity Church Choral Scholars and the St Martin-in-the-Fields Choral Scholars.

Join us for an inspiring programme of choral music, poetry, and throught-provoking conversations exploring peace and reconciliation from around the world.

Friday 24th July.

8:30pm SUNG COMPLINE AT ST MARY'S CHURCH

Led by Revd Canon Dr Sarah Hills with a reflection by The Very Revd Lee Batson, Dean of Newcastle.

Saturday 25th July

11.00am-12.00pm WALKING PILGRIMAGE AROUND HOLY ISLAND

Meet at St Mary's Church at just before 11.00am for a pilgrimage in words and song, led by the choral scholars and Revd Canon Dr Sarah Hills.

3.30-5.30pm TALKS

Talks by the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Right Revd Mark Strange:
'Peace from our hearts to the hills'
And the Dean of St George's Cathedral, Cape Town, the Very Revd Terry Lester: 'Drinking the milk of milk doctrine'

• There will be a refreshment break in between lectures, with time for Q&A at the end.

7.30-8.30pm A CONCERT OF POETRY AND MUSIC

Join poet Jay Hulme and the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields and Trinity Church for an inspiring evening of poetry and music, exploring pilgrimage, the saints, and the stories that continue to shape faith and imagination today.
Refreshments served afterwards.

Sunday 26th July

10.45am ST AIDAN'S FESTIVAL EUCHARIST AT ST MARY'S CHURCH

Join us for the principal celebration of St Aidan's Festival, featuring Schubert's much-loved Mass in G, sung by the choral scholars. The preacher will be Revd Michael Bird, Vicar of Trinity Church, New York.

5.00pm FESTIVAL CHORAL EVENSONG

Concluding the day's celebrations, Festival Choral Evensong offers a reflective and uplifting service of music and prayer, including choral works by Kenneth Leighton, Elaine Hagenberg and Craig Phillips sung by the choral scholars.
The preacher will be the Rt Revd Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Newcastle.

St Martin's Voices performing St Aidan's Prayer

We pray for peace

Harvest Festival

Harvest Festival 2023

The Coat of Hopes

The Coat of Hopes will be resting, whilst on display at the Village Hall on Lindisfarne.
Made, worn, and walked by many hundreds of people during and since the pilgrimage on which it was created - from the south coast of England to the gates of COP 26, and to the UN climate summit 2021, in Glasgow. The Coat is now on its return journey to its starting place.
The Coat is made up of pieces of blanket into which people along the way have worked their griefs, remembrances, prayers and hopes for the place they call home.
It walks ever calling those who encounter it, or who share it, into the present. Supported by its warmth (love) - to bear its weight (responsibility) so that each might “wear the promise that we all belong together” as we seek to respond with our whole self to the climate and ecological emergency.
Please join us on 4th & 18th of October sharing story, making space for questions, and conversation about how we might respond to these times of concern, with an opportunity to wear the Coat.
All are warmly invited to walk with the Coat of Hopes on its ongoing journey. To find out more, visit
www.coatofhopes.uk

St Aidans Celebration 27th August in the Priory

Easter Celebrations 2023

We have had a lovely week running up to Easter, we've had films, complines, feet washing, activities and prayer stations, a three hour devotion, a bonfire, a dawn service and an amazing Easter Day communion with visitors from all of the country. Here are some photos.