We welcome everyone to our small, friendly church situated in the centre of the village of Whitegate halfway between the Cheshire towns of Northwich and Winsford. Our parish covers a large rural area stretching to include parts of Hartford, Winsford and Sandiway and also includes the UK’s largest salt mine run by Compass Minerals.
Our church is situated on the village green beside our church hall, known as the Mews, and Whitegate C of E Primary School with which we have close links.
St Mary’s is part of a joint benefice. Our sister church is St Peter’s Little Budworth with whom we share our vicar, curates and children’s worker. We enjoy a joint service with St Peter’s whenever there is a fifth Sunday in the month and other events.
The Parish of Whitegate is part of the Church of England in the Diocese of Chester. We follow what is essentially a Liberal Catholic tradition in our worship. Music is an important part of worship for us and we have an enthusiastic organist and choir.
We offer a range of services: Family Service, Holy Communion, Story Telling Service and Morning Prayer. Check the calendar to see when each is next running.
There is something suitable for children at every Sunday morning service: Family Service, Story Telling Service in The Mews or Little Fishes Sunday School. You can find descriptions of these activities on our Children’s page.
Baptism is often referred to as Christening as it is when a person commits themselves to follow Jesus Christ as a disciple.
Find out moreWe are pleased to be invited to visit people at home and our clergy will gladly respond to invitations. This enables us to use our resources responsibly, avoiding unnecessary travelling and impact upon the environment. If you would like a visit, or know someone who is unable to get to church, please speak to one of the clergy.
Vicar
Curate
Curate
Deacon
Warden
Warden
Children’s worker
Organist & choirmaster
The PCC is responsible for the financial affairs of the parish and for the maintenance of the church, churchyard and The Mews. PCC members have the responsibility of working with the Vicar to further the mission of the Church in our parish.
The group is made up of clergy, churchwardens and members of the congregation. Within the PCC there are sub committees such as Fabric, Mission and Giving and Social.
Members are elected to the PCC at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in April or May each year. If you are interested in joining the PCC or to find out more, please speak to one of the churchwardens.
Our modern church hall, The Mews, is a light and airy facility used by church groups and available for private hire for meetings, groups and parties. It has wheelchair friendly entry and full toilet facilities including a Disabled toilet and baby changing facilities.
The main hall has tables and chairs to seat up to 40 people in a banqueting style and the well-equipped kitchen has modern appliances and an ample stock of glasses, tableware and cutlery. There is public Wi-Fi.
St Mary’s Churchyard is sacred space where generations have been laid to rest, the oldest graves are over 400 years old. We have space for those wishing to be buried and also a Garden of Remembrance for those who choose cremation.
Residents of the parish of St Mary’s, Whitegate, and members of the church Electoral Roll may be buried in the churchyard.
Applications for memorials and their ongoing maintenance must comply with the Diocesan Churchyard Regulations which are displayed in the church porch and are available on the Chester Diocese website. Please ask the Vicar if you need further information.
We try to maintain the churchyard in a manner that respects nature and wildlife. Please note that some areas are uneven or have steep slopes so we advise care when walking within the churchyard.
A churchyard prayer trail is available in the church porch. Please return it after use.
Graves must be kept tidy and safe. Loose memorials may be laid flat to avoid them falling and hurting someone. All items introduced to a grave need written permission and inappropriate or unauthorised items may be removed.
Christmas wreaths may be placed on graves from the beginning of December and should be removed before the end of January. Nothing should be included which may be harmful to wildlife (eg artificial berries, strings of lights, balloons).
There have been three churches on this site since the 14th Century. The present church was largely rebuilt in 1874 but its roof is supported by the eight medieval pillars.
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Located within the graveyard of St Mary’s Church, Whitegate, is the grave of Sir Muirhead Bone.
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To the glory of God in undying memory of men of this Parish who gave their lives in the Great War of 1914 - 1919.
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