A Tale of Two Abbeys by Rosie Lear
The Abbey Shop in the Close has taken delivery of the third in the series... Read more →
Welcome
To know God and to make Him known in wonder, love and praise.
A warm welcome to the Abbey’s website. I hope you will find here the information you are seeking. There are also a number of important links to other sites which will tell you more.
Founded by St. Aldhelm in AD 705, the Abbey has developed from Saxon cathedral to the worshipping heart of a monastic community, and finally, to one of the most beautiful of England’s parish churches. For many it is still the ‘cathedral of Dorset’, and our Benedictine heritage lives on in the daily offering of prayer and praise.
If you have never visited the Abbey, I hope you can do so soon. Marvelling at this glorious building, may you also catch a glimpse of the Glory of God – so that, having arrived as our welcome guest, you will leave renewed, as a pilgrim.
Canon Eric Woods, Team Rector
The Rector Writes…
Regular Services
Morning Prayer is said in the Lady Chapel at 8.30 am every weekday
Holy Communion is celebrated
Monday at 9.00 am, Tuesday at 12 noon
Wednesday at 10.30 am, Thursday at 12 noon
Friday and Saturday at 9.00 am
Sunday Services
8.00 am Holy Communion
9.30 am Parish Eucharist
6.30 pm Sung Evensong (5.00 pm in the winter)
Opening Hours
The Abbey is open every day from 8.30 am to 6.00 pm (4.00 pm in the winter)
There is no admission charge – donations are welcome
There is a free guided tour during the summer season each Tuesday at 10.30 am
and each Friday at 2.30 pm (services permitting)
Visit the Abbey Shop In The Close for a full range of gifts and souvenirs,
plus books, CDs, cards, etc
For further information, contact The Parish Office
on 01935 812452 (office hours only)
Safeguarding
This Benefice takes very seriously its responsibilities surrounding the safeguarding of children, young people, and adults who may be at risk, and works in partnership with the Diocese of Salisbury to ensure that we operate in accordance with best practice at all times. We have adopted the House of Bishops’ “Promoting a Safer Church; Safeguarding Policy Statement”.
If you have any Safeguarding questions or concerns you can contact our Parish Safeguarding Officers, Mr David and Mrs Lyn Rayner, by clicking on the link safeguarding@sherborne abbey.com
Alternatively you can contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, on 07500 664800 or email heather.bland@salisbury.anglican.org
Full details of our Safeguarding Policy and Guidelines can be found onour Safeguarding page.
The new Abbey Icon
The Wren and the Resurrection
Egg tempera, gold and silver leaf on gesso panel 2019. Painted by Rev. Regan O’Callaghan.
Commissioned for Sherborne Abbey the icon represents the miracle of the Resurrection. On Easter day Christ rises triumphant from the tomb on a fiery cloud of energy and new life, his right hand raised in blessing. A tiny wren representing the dawn chorus and the song of all creation sings a song of praise while golden angel wings reveals the presence of the heavenly realm. Tall mountains either side of the tomb symbolise the universal church east and west and the golden wreath of flowers which circle Christ, the beauty of God’s creation and all that binds together in love, peace and hope.
“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12
Mounted Giclee print signed by the artist are available from the following link: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/706473431/sacred-art-print-the-wren-and-the?ref=shop_home_active_26
