Places of worship in Malvern, Worcestershire

Among the places of worship in the town and area of Malvern, Worcestershire are centres of dedication to many faiths and denominations. The town has 31 Christian churches with 11 belonging to the Church of England, ranging from low church to high Anglo-Catholic, two Roman Catholic, one Evangelical, and the others being Non-Conformist and other faiths. Its oldest place of worship is Great Malvern Priory which is all that remains of the former 10th century abbey of which according to the Worcester Monastic Annals, work began in 1085.[1] The chain of Malvern Hills lies in a north-south direction, thus posing a challenge for the architects of Christian churches located on the steep slopes, chancels being traditionally sited at the east end of the building. Many churches were built in the 19th century concomitant with the rapid expansion of the town due to its popularity as a spa. A few modern buildings such as St Mary's Church (1960) in Sherrard's Green, have been constructed in the second half of the 20th century, and some churches, notably St Andrews in Poolbrook, have had important modern extensions added during the first decade of the 21st century.

All institutions are listed in alphabetical order by faith, denomination and facility. Some link to their more complete Wikipedia pages.

Church of England

All Saints Church

Style of worship: Open evangelical
All Saints remains as one of two C of E churches in Malvern Wells following the closure of St Peter's Gothic style church designed by Robert Jearrad (1836).[2] Built in 1930 in 13th-century style in Malvern rag-stone by architect Troyte Griffith of Nevinson & Newton,[2] to whom Sir Edward Elgar dedicated an Enigma Variation,[3] it is located on steep sloping common land donated by Lady Emily Foley, it has a semicircular apsidal chancel which demonstrates the architectural challenges of east-facing chancels on the flanks of the Malvern Hills, and an organ by Nicholsons.
Location: Wells Road, The Wyche, Malvern Wells
Built: 1903[4]
Architecture: 13th-century style.
Architect: Troyte Griffith[4] Organ: Nicholson & Co Ltd.
Bells: One, in a small turret.
Notable people in cemetery:
Parish:Malvern Wells and Wyche[4]
Incumbent: Dave Bruce (Chase Team Rector)
Website: All Saints, Malvern Wells
Further reading: Roden, Hugh C. B. (1923) A guide to All Saints' Church, the Wyche, Malvern. W. H. Lovel, Malvern. OL17391375M

Christ Church
South door, Christ Church

Style of worship: Standard Church Of England liturgy, 'relaxed and informal'.
Location: Avenue Road, Great Malvern, within 200 metres of Great Malvern station and Malvern St James School
Parish: Christ Church.[5]
Built: 1875, the church is a Grade II listed building,[6] and an English Heritage grant (2015) aided place of worship,[7]
Architecture: Designed and built by T D Barry & Sons of Liverpool to seat 700 people,[8] its architecture is based on pure 14th century Gothic style with a 55-metre spire and an east window by Charles Eomer Kemp.[9]
Organ: 1,486 pipe organ constructed by Nicholsons of Malvern in 1884, restored and repaired in 1971 and 1986.[10]
Bells: Two bells in the tower, a 6 cwt in C, and a 7 cwt in D were cast by John Taylor & Co, Loughborough in 1875.[11]
Notable people in graveyard: The church does not have its own graveyard; burials take place in the nearby Great Malvern cemetery in Madresfield Road.
Incumbent: Canon Harold Goddard, vicar, 2015
Website: Christ Church, Malvern

Church of the Ascension
Church of the Ascension

Style of worship: 'Forward-looking Church of England using a modern Catholic liturgy based on an inclusive, liberal theology'.
Location: Somers Park Avenue, Link Top.
Parish: Malvern Link with Cowleigh. One of the three churches in the parish that also includes St Matthias' Church in Malvern Link and St Peter's Church in Cowleigh.
Built: 1903. Grade II listed building (1991)[12]
Architecture: Early English Gothic by Gothic revival architect Sir Walter Tapper, his first church.[13] Early English style in Cotswold stone with lancet windows, featuring a stone relief of the Ascension by Harry Hems.[12] Modeled on a 13th century Cistercian monastery, the building is noted for its acoustics and is a regular venue for choirs and Gregorian chants.
Bells: none. The former two bells were sold in the 1960s to raise funds
Notable people in cemetery: no consecrated cemetery
Current incumbent: As of 22 April 2018, The Rev. Phillip Johnson, vicar
Church web site: The Ascension Centre for Contemplation and Reconciliation
Parish website: Malvern Link with Cowleigh

Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity Church

Location: Link Top, North Malvern
Parish: North Malvern
Built: 1850-51 as a Chapel of Ease to Malvern Priory, It became its own parish in 1869. Expanded 1872, 1896-7, 1908-9[14] (Grade II Listed[) [14][15]
Architecture: Early Decorated/Early English by Samuel Daukes, London, with influences of the Oxford Movement[16]
Bells: 2
Organ by Nicholson & Co Ltd of Worcester, 1878.[17] Later organs (electronic), 1975, 1988, by Makin Organs[18]
Notable people in cemetery:
Current incumbent: As of 2015, The Revd William (David) Nichol[19]
Website: holytrinitymalvern.

St Andrew's Church

Style of worship: Open evangelical
Location: Poolbrook
Parish: Parish:Malvern Wells and Wyche[4]
Built:1882 by Sir Arthur Blomfield in memory of a member of the Chance Brothers glassware family.
Architecture: 13th century style (Early English)
Bells:1
Notable people in cemetery:
Current incumbent: Dave Bruce (Chase Team Rector)
Website: st andrew malvern

St Giles Church (Little Malvern Priory)
Little Malvern Priory Church.

Style of worship:
Location: Little Malvern
Grade I listed (1968)[20]
Parish Little Malvern,
Built:
Architecture: was part of a Benedictine Priory founded in 1171. 14th - 15th century 15 and has some Norman remains.[20]
Bells:1 by John of Gloucester ca. 1354
Organ: 1882 by William Hill & Sons, London.[21] Refurbished 2018-19 by Nicholson & Co Ltd
Windows: Stained glass, 1480[22]
Notable people in cemetery:
Current incumbent: Revd. Canon Eric Knowles, since 1990 (as at 2019), vicar
Website: Little Malvern Priory

St James's

Style of worship:
Location: West Malvern
Parish: West Malvern, originally 'Mathon St. James', renamed 1844[23]
Grade II listed (1949)
Built:1885[24]
Architecture: 13th century style (Early English). Malvern ragstone with ashlar dressings
Bells:1
Notable people in cemetery: Peter Mark Roget (1869) of Roget's Thesaurus
Current incumbent: The Revd Rebecca Elliott (as of January 2021)
Website: Facebook

St Leonard

Style of worship: High Church (Anglo-Catholic)
Location: Newland
Parish: Benefice of Powick and Guarlford and Madresfield with Newland
Built:1862. Grade I listed[25]
Architecture: 14th century style by Philip Hardwick[2](p. 17), Gambier Parry fresco technique [25]
Bells:
Notable people in cemetery:
Current incumbent: Fr. Christopher Sterry, Chaplain
Website: https://www.beauchampstleonard.org/

St Mary's Church, Pickersleigh

Location: Sherrards Green Road, Malvern
Parish: Pickersleigh (a new parish created in September 2014).
Built: 1958
Architecture: Mid 20th century
Bells: None
Notable people in cemetery: No cemetery.
Current incumbent (2020): The Rev. Lynne Sparkes
Website: St Mary's Church, Pickersliegh

St Mary the Virgin

Location: Guarlford Road, Guarlford
Parish: Benefice of Powick and Guarlford and Madresfield with Newland
Built:1844
Architecture: George McCann to a design by Thomas Bellamy of London.
Bells: none
Notable people in cemetery:
Current vicar/priest/minister: The Rev. Gary Crellin, Recto (as of 2020)
Website: Guarlford parish

St Matthias' Church

Style of worship: High Church; 'Forward-looking Church of England using a modern Catholic liturgy based on an inclusive, liberal theology'.
Location: Church Road, Malvern Link
Parish: Malvern Link with Cowleigh
Built:1844 by Mc.Cann, Malvern.. Tower added 1898-9 by Collins & Godfrey of Tewkesbury. Grade II Listed
Architecture: Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott,[2][26] and Harvey Eginton of Worcester
Bells: 10, cast by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough. #10 in 1899, 3 to 9 in 1900 and #1 and 2 added in 1994. The Tenor weighs 16 cwt and is tuned to F#.[27] The first full peal of Grandsire Triples was rung on 1 June 1901 in St Matthias[28] See also: Stedman Triples rung at St Matthias[29]
Notable people in cemetery:
Incumbent: As of 22 April 2018, The Rev. Phillip Johnson, vicar
Website: St Mathias' Church
Parish website: Malvern Link with Cowleigh

St Peter's Church, Cowleigh

Style of worship: 'Forward-looking Church of England using a modern Catholic liturgy based on an inclusive, liberal theology'.
Location: Cowleigh Bank, North Malvern
Parish: Malvern Link with Cowleigh
Built:. 1865 II listed [30]
Architecture: George Edmund Street
Bells:
Notable people in cemetery:
Incumbent: As of 22 April 2018, The Rev. Phillip Johnson, vicar
Website: St Peter's
Parish website: Malvern Link with Cowleigh

Protestant, Reformist, other denominations

Baptist

Malvern Baptist Church Style of worship: Baptist
Location: Abbey Road, Great Malvern
Affiliation: Heart of England Baptist Association / Baptist Union of Great Britain.
Built: ca. 1920
Architecture: Traditional church building in Victorian non-conformist style
Bells: None
Notable people in cemetery: No consecrated churchyard
Current incumbent: Rev Dave Clarke, minister (as of 2020)
Website: Malvern Baptist Church

United Reformed Church
United Reform Church, Malvern Link

Malvern Link, Worcester Road
Founded 1903 as Malvern Link Free Church (Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion)
Parish/Affiliation: The West Midlands Synod
Minister: Reverend Ken Martin (as of 2020)
Web site: URC in Malvern Link

Holly Mount

Former Holly Mount URC, Queen's Drive, Great Malvern

Founded 1876
Relocated 2019 to The Cube, Albert Road North, a community centre.
Organisation/Affiliation: Malvern and Worcester team pastorate
Minister:
Web site: Holly Mount Church

Non aligned

Eden Church
Repurposed: 2010 Leader: Mike Gibens (as of 2020)
Location: Eden Centre (since 2015), Grovewood Road, Malvern
Website: Eden Church

Malvern Evangelical Church,

Location: 204-208 Pickersleigh Road, Malvern WR14 2QX
Built:1975
Architecture: Late 20th century.
Current vicar/priest/minister:
Website: Malvern Evangelical Church

Catholic

St Joseph's Church
St Joseph's Church

Style of worship:
Location: 1245 Newtown Road, Link Top, Malvern, WR14 1PF
Parish: St Joseph, Malvern
Built: 1876.[31] Expanded: 1997
Architecture:
Incumbent: Fr Naz Mgungwe, parish priest (as at 2020)[31]
Website: St Joseph's, Malvern

St Wulstan's Church

Style of worship: Mass, Adoration. Benedictine with Gegorian Chant. Sacrosanctum Concilium ( Vatican 2 Decree on the Liturgy)
Location: Wells Rd Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 4JL,
Parish: St Wulstan, Catholic Diocese of Birmingham (Worcester Deanery),
Built: 1862. Major restoration 2003/4 aided by a grant from English Heritage.[32]
Architecture:
Bells:
Organ: 1841 by John Nicholson. Refurbished/restored 1974, 1981, 2017
Notable people in cemetery: Edward Elgar, English composer; Dorothy Howell, English composer
Incumbent: Fr Edward Crouzet, parish priest (as at 2020)
Website: St Wulstan's Church in Little Malvern

Christadelphian
Christadelphian Hall, Malvern

Style of worship: Christadelphianism / Biblical unitarianism
Christadelphian Hall
Location: 21 Abbey Road, Great Malvern
Incumbent: Christadelphians ("ecclesias") do not have permanently appointed preachers
Website: Malvern Christadelphians

Interdenominational

Wyche Free Church
Style of worship: independent evangelical church
Location: Jubilee Drive, Upper Colwall, Malvern
Founded: ca. 1850
Parish: self-governing
Affiliation: FIEC - Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches[33]
Built: present church built in 1910
Architecture:
Bells:
Notable people in cemetery: No consecrated churchyard
Elders (2020): Peter Goodbury, Rev John Grindell. Pastor: None (2020), weekly ministry of experienced visiting preachers.
Website: Wyche Free Church

Methodist

Landsdowne Crescent Methodist Church
Landsdown Methodist Church, Great Malvern

Style of worship: Methodist
Location: Great Malvern, Landsdown Crescent
Parish: South West Worcestershire Circuit
Built:
1866 Architecture: Gothic Revival, by John Tarring of London
Bells:
Notable people in cemetery:
Current vicar/priest/minister: Rev Nigel Coke-Woods, minister (as at 2020)
Website:

Somers Park Avenue Methodist Church
Somers Park Avenue Methodist Church

Style of worship: Methodism
Location: Malvern Link
Founded on current site: 1880s
Parish: South West Worcestershire Circuit
Built: Current building: 1936. Expanded 1960-61
Architecture:
Bells:
Notable people in cemetery:
Current incumbent: Rev. Nigel Coke-Woods, minister (as at 2020)
Website: Somers Park Methodist

Non-Denominational

Life Church
Location: Meets at Malvern Vale Community Centre, Swinyard Road
Affiliation: Part of the New Frontiers Family of churches and Christ Central
Built: N/A
Architecture: N/A
Bells:N/A
Notable people in cemetery:N/A
Incumbent/Lead person: Immy Sharp, Children's and Community Worker
Website 1: Life Church Malvern
Website 2: New Frontiers

Jehovah's Witnesses

Location: Kingdom Hall, 1 Orford Way, Malvern, WR14 2EH

Quakers
Friends Meeting House, Malvern

Friends Meeting House
Style of worship: resembles the services of other Protestant denominations, although in most cases does not include the Eucharist
Location: Orchard Road, Malvern
Parish/Group: Worcestershire & Shropshire Area Meeting, Religious Society of Friends
Built:
Architecture:
Bells: N/A
Notable people in cemetery: N/A
Current vicar/priest/minister:
Website: Malvern Quakers

Salvation Army

Style of worship: Christian, various [34]
Location: Newtown Road, Link Top, Malvern
Parish: N/A
Built: N/A
Architecture: N/A
Bells: N/A
Notable people in cemetery: N/A
Current vicar/priest/minister: Sarah Griffiths, Lieutenant (2020)
Website: Salvation Army Malvern

Buddhist Temple

Amida Mandala Buddhist Temple[35]
Location: 34 Worcester Road, Great Malvern
Built: 1820s (former Breedon Guest House, acquired by Amida Trust, 2014)
Style of worship: saying or chanting Namo Amida Bu
Orientation: Amidism - Pure Land Buddhism, a broad branch of Mahayana Buddhism[35]
Governance: Amida Trust
Affiliation: European Buddhist Union[35]
Resident Head of Ministry team: Rev Satyavani, Pureland Buddhist Priest, Order of Amida Buddha
Head of the Amida Order: Dharmavidya David Brazier
Website: amidamandala

References
  1. Wells, Katherine (2009) Tour of Great Malvern Priory p.2., Friends of Great Malvern Priory ISBN 0951029444
  2. Hurle, Pamela (2002). Malvern Churches in their historical context. Aspect design. pp. 15, 18. ISBN 0952936623.
  3. Brooks, Alan; Pevsner, Nikolaus (2007). Worcestershire - The Buildings of England. Yale University Press. p. 74. ISBN 9780300112986. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  4. "All Saints, Malvern Wells". The Church of England. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  5. Parish website Retrieved 11 June 2020
  6. "Christ Church, Malvern". The Church of England. 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  7. English Heritage Retrieved 6 January 2010
  8. Report No. WSM20355 WCC Historic Environment Record
  9. Pevsner, N. (1968) The Buildings of England: Worcestershire
  10. Berry, Hilary (2011)
  11. Parish web site. Retrieved 9 December 2011
  12. Historic England. "Church of the Ascension, Malvern Link  (Grade II) (1349465)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  13. "Sir Walter Tapper and his Churches". John Whitworth. 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  14. Historic England. "Holy Trinity Church, Malvern Link  (Grade II) (1392674)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  15. Holy Trinity Malvern: The Story of a Parish. The Parish of the Holy Trinity, Great Malvern. 1988. pp. 4–5.
  16. "Consecration of Trinity Church, North Malvern". Cheltenham Chronicle. 18 September 1851. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  17. "Opening of the New Organ at Trinity Church". Berrows Worcester Journal. Berrows. 1878. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  18. holytrinitymalvern. Retrieved 11 June 2020
  19. "A Church Near You". Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  20. "CHURCH OF ST GILES". Historic England. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  21. Berrows Worcester Journal 19 August 1882 p4
  22. Habington, Thomas (1717) Antiquities of the Cathedral Church of Worcester
  23. West Malvern Parish
  24. Historic England
  25. https://www.visitthemalverns.org/attraction/st-leonards-church-newland/ Malvern Hills District Council, St Leonard's Church
  26. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1082791
  27. St Matthias bells, full history
  28. Felstead Pealbase Retrieved 11 June 2020
  29. irkibby (15 November 2009). "Bellringing at St Matthias, Malvern Link". YouTube. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  30. Historic England. "Church of St Peter  (Grade II) (1156503)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  31. "St Joseph's, Malvern". Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  32. "St Wulstan's Roman Catholic Church, Little Malvern". allaboutmalvernhills.com. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  33. FIEC - Wyche Free Church. Retrieved 12 June 2020
  34. Salvation Army, worship Retrieved 12 June 2020
  35. EBU amida-trust Retrieved 12 June 2020
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