St. Mary’s is here first and foremost to share the good news of Jesus’ love with the people of Horncastle and beyond. The church is known for its friendly hospitality and we hope to extend this welcome to you also. If this website is your first introduction to the church, we hope you find it both interesting and informative.

Whether you are a resident, visitor or just passing through our Wolds town of Horncastle, you are very welcome to join us for worship or to participate in any of the activities or community events that go on throughout the course of a year.

The doors of our church are open every day from 9:00 am until dusk. Within the ancient space, many people take a moment to enjoy a stillness and calm which we believe is all part of God’s rich blessing.

The South Wolds Partnership

For a number of years, twenty-four individual Churches around the market town of Horncastle came under the same grouping, and was called the ‘South Wolds Partnership’. At the time it was the largest single benefice in the country. In 2014 the diocese split this grouping into the three new groups, which were individually the Horncastle, Asterby and Hemingby Group of Churches:

The Horncastle Group of Churches serves seven communities: Horncastle, Ashby Puerorum, Greetham, High Toynton, Martin, Thornton and Thimbleby.

The Asterby Group of Churches serves nine communities: Benniworth, Biscathorpe, Burgh on Bain, Donington on Bain, Gayton le Wold, Goulceby, Ranby, Scamblesby and Stenigot.

The Hemingby Group of Churches serves eight communities: Baumber, Belchford, Edlington, Fulletby, Hatton, Hemingby, Great Sturton and West Ashby.

Legally, the three Groups now operate individually. The Clergy of each Group have clearly defined roles. And there are parish boundaries around each group, which determine, for example, where couples can get married.

In other ways, however, the groups look to support each other. We operate as a ‘Mission Partnership’, to encourage each other in matters of ministry and outreach. We share the work of parish administration. Our Parish Administrator, Debbie Knight, works equally for all the Churches. We also have regular joint meetings regarding Safeguarding, where the three Safeguarding Officers, together with the clergy, keep each other updated on good practice.

Details of the Asterby Group of Churches and the Hemingby Group of Churches can be found by following the links on their appropriate menu tabs.