A SMALL church with Saxon origins in Teesdale is the latest to become a corporate member of the Prayer Book Society.
St Mary’s, in Wycliffe, is one of six churches in the newly-formed Holmedale benefice.
The village has close associations with the 14th century Oxford theologian John Wycliffe, the so-called Morning Star of the Reformation who was born in the area.
“Each church in our benefice differs,” says Keith Miller, churchwarden and chairman of the parochial church council at St Mary’s.
“We hope that those in the surrounding area who are attracted by the Book of Common Prayer will come to St Mary’s where the beauty of the building, its profound history and a liturgy which has resonated over the centuries all combine.
“We have used the beautiful and eloquent language of the Prayer Book for generations and primarily for holy communion and morning prayer these days. Although the numbers in our congregations are modest, we have
noticed an increase in worshippers coming because of our use of the Book of Common Prayer.”
The Prayer Book Society encourages “rediscovery and use of the majesty and spiritual depth” of the Book of Common Prayer.
Mr Miller says the presence of St Mary’s on the society’s website – www.pbs.org.uk – will help to boost attendances, particularly by holidaymakers visiting the area.
Plans are underway to enhance the facilities at St Mary’s so that greater use of the church can include concerts, he adds. Mr Miller hopes that some concert-goers will return to the church on Sundays.
Mr Miller, who became a personal member of the society in 2016, was struck by the number of young delegates at the annual conference, which he attended last year.
“That bodes well not only for the future of the church as a whole but also for the increasing use of the Book of Common Prayer,” he says.
