The Church of Saint Laurence
The Church of St. Laurence stands on the north side of the village. The oldest part of the church is almost 1000 years old, however much of the church was changed and rebuilt in the Victorian times.
St Laurence Church falls within the United Benefice of Cogenhoe, Great and Little Houghton with Brafield on the Green. Available to buy from the church is a booklet detailing the history of the church building including some very interesting facts that you might otherwise not notice.
More details can be found in the section on the history of the village. Click here to link
Parish Priest
Father Richard Stainer Tel: 891166
Churchwardens
Ray Henman Tel: 890748
Madeleine Donald Tel: 899477
Service times
1st Sunday in the month
- Family Communion - 11.00 am followed by coffee and biscuits
2nd Sunday in the month
- No service but we are encouraged to join the congregation in Cogenhoe, Great Houghton or Little Houghton
3rd Sunday in the month
- Family Service - 11.00 am specially designed for children and young people also followed by coffee and biscuits
4th Sunday in the month
- Said Communion - 8.00 am from the Book of Common Prayer
5th Sunday in the month
- Benefice Service - 10.00 am at each of the Churches in rotation
Tuesday mornings
- Said Communion - 9.30 am followed by coffee and biscuits
Special services include
- Flower Festival Songs of Praise - Sunday evening at close of Festival in early June
- Carols amongst the Christmas Trees - Saturday evening of Festival in early December
Other annual Church events include:
- Flower Festival - 2nd weekend in June
- Saint Laurence Day Service and Barbecue - early August
- Horticultural Show - 4th Saturday in August
- Harvest Thanksgiving - this year 2007 September 2nd at 11.00 am
- Harvest Supper - this year 2007 September 7th 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm
- Christmas Tree Festival - 2nd weekend in December
Additional Information
Brafield & Little Houghton Parish Magazine
This monthly news booklet provides information on church and chapel services and various events and organisations in the villages. Subscriptions are paid annually in January and you can advertise an event in the village to over 100 households. Please deliver or e-mail any articles for inclusion to Anne Henman, 1 Church Lane, Brafield.
e-mail anne@rydalchurchlane.plus.com before the 18th of the month. Businesses or services also have the opportunity to advertise in the magazine by contacting the editor, John Ford Tel: 890584.
Brafield Youth Choir
The Brafield Youth Choir is for any young person over 6 years of age. It meets on a Tuesday evening at 6.00pm – 6.30pm in St Laurence Church, Brafield. It is expected that young people attending the practice will attend Family Communion on the first Sunday and the Family Service on the third Sunday of each month. The young people work towards their RSCM Voice for Life Choir Ribbons. For information please contact
Hilary Dolan Tel: 890041 or Anne Henman Tel: 890748.
Benefice Choir (Adults)
The choir is made up of singers from each of the four parishes and leads the singing at the benefice services throughout the year. The choir also puts on at least one annual concert for the Flower Festival and sings at weddings and other events. If you enjoy singing and would like to find out more, then please contact Anne (as above).
Music Group
A small group of musicians meet at 6.45pm in the Church on the Monday before the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month to practice the music for the main service. If you play an instrument or sing and would like to join the group please call Hilary Tel: 890041.
Bell Ringing
Ringing practice is on a Wednesday evening in the Tower of St Laurence Church from 7.45pm – 9pm. The band rings for half an hour before each 11 am Sunday service, at weddings and on other special occasions. There are six bells in the tower. New and experienced ringers are always welcome. Contact: Tower Captain Ray Henman Tel: 890748
Hand bell Ringing
A small group of ringers meets to practise in the spring and summer, mainly for their own enjoyment. In the autumn they practise Carols to be rung around the village at Christmas time. Contact: Ray Henman Tel: 890748 for details.
Date last updated: 07 Mar 2009 Valid until: 31 Dec 2010