Friends of the Parish Church

Welcome to Friends of Cirencester Parish Church (Charity No: 272334)

The FRIENDS of Cirencester Parish Church is a charity committed to caring for St John Baptist, the largest parish church in Gloucestershire. For more than 1,000 years this remarkable building has been a place of worship, welcome and community, and we are proud to help secure its future.

Since our foundation in 1976, the FRIENDS has contributed over £1.6 million to projects that preserve, repair and enhance the church. Working closely with the Parochial Church Council, we ensure that funds are directed where they are most needed. Upcoming priorities include cleaning the church interior, upgrading the lighting throughout the building, and continuing essential conservation of the historic stonework.

These buildings matter deeply to us and to the wider community. They are places of beauty, peace and spirituality, but they also play an important social and pastoral role in the life of the town.

We currently have more than 170 individual members, including annual subscribers, generous donors, Life Members and Church Associates. We also welcome corporate members—local businesses who choose to support our work. We are always keen to grow our membership, especially among the congregations of Holy Trinity and St Lawrence.

The FRIENDS is led by an elected Council, supported by a small Standing Committee. Michael Gledhill (Chair) Michael Ralston (Depuy Chair) Paul Burt (Honorary Treasurer) Barbara Cooper (Honorary Secretary) Lynn Hilditch (Membership Secretary)

Each year we celebrate FRIENDS’ Day on the Sunday nearest to 24 June, the Feast of St John Baptist. The day begins with Sung Eucharist at 10am, followed by the AGM and report in the afternoon, and concludes with Evensong and a reception for members.

Please note: As postal costs rise and delivery reliability decreases, the FRIENDS now communicates exclusively by email. If you believe you have missed any recent updates, please contact the Membership Secretary (currently Lynn Hilditch) at msofocpc@cirenparish.co.uk

SUPPORT US

You can support our work by becoming a member of the Friends.

Becoming a member is one of the best ways to support our work. Members can attend all FRIENDS events—usually three each year—free of charge, and event details are sent directly by email.

Membership subscriptions are: