attend
church service
Here at the Holy Sepulchre, we are committed to providing a friendly and welcoming experience for all who visit.
While we love our building we recognize that the church community is more than a building and our services, events, and groups all aim to bring people together.
As a registered Inclusive Church we welcome all people regardless of age, race, gender, sexuality, mental or physical abilities, or financial or social status. We fully support the ministry of women as deacons, priests, and bishops.
Services are usually followed by tea, coffee and biscuits in the adjacent Community Room.
We also know that attending a church for the first time can be a little nerve-wracking and daunting too. For this reason we have a community manager whose job it is to answer any of your questions, meet you before service, escort you into the building, introduce you to others and walk you through how we worship here. We want you to feel cared for here and not allow nerves or worries to get in the way of your worship. Just e-mail sarah@holy sepulchre.co.uk and we can start chatting.
Similarly, if you want to attend but getting here is a challenge, e-mail as we might be able to help.
our Vision
To create a religious, spiritual, cultural, social, and historic hub in the heart of Northampton for the well-being of all with whom it comes into contact.
our Mission
To offer the local and wider community an inclusive space where they can feel safe, explore their spiritual side, get support, and feel they are not alone.
our Belief
The Church is rooted in the Christian faith, affirming the belief in the Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.
attending service
FAQ's
We welcome anyone to our services who has an interest in our Church or who may be beginning to explore their spirituality, so there are no rules around who can attend our services. Should anyone wish to learn about baptism then they are more than welcome to discuss this with the vicar after the service.
Generally, anyone who has been confirmed or who is getting ready for confirmation can receive communion. If you wish to take part in the ceremony but do not wish to receive communion, please carry your service booklet with you so that the minister will know that you wish to receive a blessing.
We recommend arriving 10-15 minutes before the service starts to give yourself time to find a seat and have a look through the order of service.
We have limited on-site disabled parking. There is metered parking in Sheep Street, Church Lane and the Church Lane car park.
Dress in what you find comfortable. Some people may choose to wear a suit whilst others may wear jeans and a t-shirt. It’s up to you. You will we welcomed no matter what you wear.
In colder weather the church can get cold even with the heating on, so dress warmly if you feel the cold.
Regular worship includes Bible readings, prayers, hymns and Holy Communion (bread and wine).
When you first come to Holy Sepulchre there’ll be no pressure to do anything. If you choose to worship with us regularly there’ll still be no pressure. You may choose to join a rota (reading, prayers, refreshments) but that is your choice.
Most Sundays we use printed service sheets that say what comes next. However, if the sheet says ‘we stand’ but you feel that you would rather stay seated then that’s okay. During the service you might see somebody bowing, or making the sign of the cross, or kneeling for prayers, and other people not doing any of those. We don’t have set rules about those things and nobody will be watching to see who does things ‘right’ so don’t worry.
Yes! On Sundays we have refreshments after the service in the adjacent community rooms.
