If you cannot find the information you require on our website please contact us:
Tel: 01935 713777
Option 1: Parish Administrator/General Enquiries (inc Abbey Shop): asstparishsecretary@sherborneabbey.com
Option 2: Rector’s PA/Parish Secretary:
Mrs Sue Lee Sue.Lee@sherborneabbey.com
Option 3: The Verger Team: vergers@sherborneabbey.com
Option 4: Team Rector: The Reverend Martin Lee Rector@sherborneabbey.com
Option 1: The Abbey Shop: (managed by The Friends of Sherborne Abbey) shop@sherborneabbey.com
Option 6: Accounts: Liz Ashmead, Treasurer Liz.Ashmead@sherborneabbey.com
Option 7: The Digby Memorial Church Hall, Manager: Marcus Bray churchhall@sherborneabbey.com
Information
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 Church of England’s 2017 Church of England Promoting a Safer Church Policy Statement and we are also using the Church of England Parish Safeguarding Handbook.
If you have any concerns please contact our Parish Safeguarding Officers: Mr Jon Massey (email: safeguarding@sherborneabbey.com)
Alternatively contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer safeguarding@salisbury.anglican.org or telephone 01722 438651 – press Option 3.
Out of hours (5.00 pm Friday to 10.00 pm Sunday) telephone the cover service (Thirtyone:eight) on 0303 003 1111.
In an emergency you should call 999.
Getting Married at Sherborne Abbey
Congratulations on your engagement! Sherborne Abbey offers a magnificent and spiritual setting for your wedding. We’re here to help you plan a day that is personal, meaningful, and memorable.
Who Can Marry Here
We would love to welcome you to celebrate your marriage at Sherborne Abbey or one of our associated churches. To be married here, you’ll need a ‘Qualifying Connection’. In summary, this means one of the following applies:
- One of you was baptised or confirmed in the parish
- One of you has lived in the parish for six months or more
- One of you has regularly attended worship here for six months or more
- One of your parents has lived or worshipped here for six months or more
- One of your parents or grandparents was married here
If you’re unsure, we can guide you through what qualifies. Every couple meets with a member of the clergy early in the process to talk through the next steps.
Baptisms & Christenings
A baptism, or christening, marks the beginning of a lifelong journey with God. Whether you’re a parent, godparent, or adult seeking baptism, we’re here to help you take this special step in faith.
What it means
Baptism is about belonging and commitment — a celebration of God’s love and a promise to follow Christ. It’s also a joyful time to give thanks for new life and to gather family and friends in faith.
What Happens at a Baptism?
- The priest welcomes the child or adult into the Christian family
- Water is poured over the head as a sign of new life
- A candle is given to represent the light of Christ
- The congregation promises to support and pray for you
Funerals and Memorial Services
If you are reading this because you have recently been bereaved, please accept our condolences. Sherborne Abbey is here to offer comfort and practical support at every stage.
Honour the life of a loved one with dignity, comfort and hope.
Arranging a Funeral
Your funeral director will make the necessary arrangements, including contacting the Abbey. Once these are confirmed, a member of our clergy will be in touch to discuss the service and support your family.
During and After the Service
We can help you choose readings, hymns, and music that reflect your loved one’s life and faith. After the funeral, you may wish to include their name in our Book of Remembrance or attend our annual service of thanksgiving.
The Abbey provides a wonderful setting for musical events and is particularly popular with choral groups. Because Sherborne has a relatively small population and because there are many other activities going on in the Abbey, the number of concerts per year is limited to approximately one per month. Our concert schedule therefore tends to be booked up well in advance, so we advise you to make enquiries in good time.
For queries regarding concerts please contact the Parish Secretary, Sue Lee, by emailing Sue.Lee@sherborneabbey.com or contact the Director of Music, James Henderson (James.Henderson@sherborneabbey.com).
Seating
The Abbey’s seating is mainly fixed pews which hold up to approximately 620 people. It is possible to increase this with extra chairs (most of which need to be hired in) to around 700.
Facilities for audiences
The Abbey does not have its own box office, but a number of local outlets regularly sell tickets for Abbey concerts for a small commission charge.
Concert promoters are responsible for providing stewards and the box office on the night of the concert. Some stewarding help may be available on request.
Facilities for performers
The Abbey has a three manual organ which was rebuilt in 2004/5 by Kenneth Tickell and Co. Further information can be found here. A chamber organ is also available for use. Extra charges apply for both.
A grand piano (suitable for accompaniment but not for solos) is available within the normal hire charge.
Rehearsal time on the day is usually available from 2.00pm to 5.00pm but needs to be requested by contacting the Director of Music.
The Abbey has its own flexible modular staging which is available to hire. Exact costs depend on the layout.
There are very limited backstage facilities in the Abbey and there are no public toilets. The choir vestry can be used for small groups; for larger groups we recommend that you hire the Digby Memorial Church Hall, just a couple of minutes’ walk away.
Marketing
Concert promoters are responsible for marketing their own events, however the Abbey can provide some limited help with publicising your concert:
All concerts are included on the Abbey website and A4 posters can be displayed in all the churches of the Benefice for 6 weeks before the concert; flyers can also be displayed inside the Abbey.
All concerts are included in the weekly Pewsheet distributed to Abbey congregations the Sunday before each concert and in the monthly events bulletin.
Sherborne Abbey welcomes visiting choirs when our own Abbey choir is not in residence. Typically this is during the school holiday periods of half term and the longer vacations.
There are two sung services on a Sunday : the morning Parish Eucharist (9.30am) requires a Mass setting and one or two motets to be sung during the distribution. The evening service (6.00pm) is a sung or choral evensong requiring an Introit, Preces and Responses, a canticle setting, and an anthem. The Abbey has a fine 3 manual organ, the details of which can be found here.
Please contact our Assistant Director of Music, Charlie Gurnham at charlie.gurnham@sherborneabbey.com for more details.
Sherborne Abbey depends on many volunteers who help in various roles. If you are interested in becoming involved with our work, there are lots of opportunities listed below with contact details for more information. Come and join us!
Volunteer Welcomers Required: We are hoping to recruit several new Welcomers for the Abbey to meet and greet our many visitors. Just one fixed hour a fortnight. Training will be given. If you are interested or know someone who might be, please email suzanne.short@sherborneabbey.com. Suzanne Short, Head Welcomer
Abbey Flower Team: Calling all flower arrangers! If you are interested in joining us to arrange flowers in the Abbey about once a month, please contact Barbara Fifield by emailing bafifield@hotmail.com or call the Parish Office.
Abbey Servers Required: Our team needs more volunteer servers for our services etc. Would you be interested in becoming a server? We would welcome young people or adults to come forward and be part of the serving team. No experience necessary as appropriate training would be given. Please speak to the vergers for more information or contact Richard Caryl via the Parish Office. Thank you.
Abbey Tour Guides: If you would like to join our team of tour guides, please contact the Head Tour Guide, Harold Clarke, via the Parish Office. Training and guidance will be given.
Abbey Shop Volunteers: The Abbey Shop is looking for more volunteers to man the shop; just a little till/card payment training needed. If you are interested please see Chris Hamon (verger) in the Abbey or email Chris.Hamon@sherborneabbey.com.
Abbey Choirs: Please see the Music section on this website for details of how to join the Abbey Choir or the Abbey Girls’ Choir or contact The Director of Music, James Henderson, on james.henderson@sherborneabbey.com.
Contact the Parish Office on 01935 713777 or by email: Sue.Lee@sherborneabbey.com. Or pop in to see us! Office hours are Mondays 9.00 am – 1.00 pm; Tuesdays – Fridays 9.00am – 3.00pm.
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