Welcome to St Mary Magdalene Church, Welwyn Garden City

The parish church at the heart of Welwyn Garden City - a place of worship, prayer and community gathering since the town's earliest days. Open for regular services, weddings, christenings and quiet visits.

Adjacent to the church, the Parish Centre hosts community groups, social events and is available to hire for parties, meetings and classes. Bright, accessible, with kitchen and parking on site.

Our main Sunday service is Holy Communion at 10am, and lasts about an hour.

You'll be welcomed at the door. Sit wherever you like. The service follows a set order, and everything you need to follow along is on the screen.

We sing a mix of traditional and contemporary hymns, hear readings from the Bible, and there's a short sermon teaching about them and their relevance to our lives today. We pray for the world, the church, and people in need. We share a sign of peace with each other, and then share Holy Communion — bread and wine, in remembrance of Jesus and as a way of meeting him together.

When it's time for Communion, everyone is welcome to come forward. If receiving Communion is part of your practice, you're welcome to receive it here. If not, come forward anyway and you'll receive a blessing instead — just cross your arms as you come up to the communion rail. The same is true for children: they can receive Communion if that's their practice, or come forward for a blessing. If you'd rather stay in your seat, that's completely fine too — please just let the welcomer know and Communion will be brought to you.

Afterwards, there's tea, coffee and cake at the back of the church. You're very welcome to stay, and equally welcome to slip away if you'd rather.