St Bartholomew’s United Church, Quorn

St Bart's is a united shared church, a status that dates back to 1975 when the Methodist and Anglican churches in Quorn first came together. The United Church was served by a full-time stipendiary Vicar, the Rev. David Bowler, who was in post between 1988 and his retirement in October 2021 and had no other churches. Consequently the dominant tradition is Anglican, though both Ministers and Local Preachers share in worship. The other member of the ministry team based in the church is a Voluntary Lay Minister for Families, who is a licensed Anglican Associate Minister. Weekly services have continued as normal since David Bowler’s retirement, utilising visiting Anglican clergy or lay members of the congregation in addition to the Circuit contribution. There are about 110 people on the electoral roll, while average Sunday attendance is about 60.

The pattern of services as detailed can change, but full details can be obtained from the circuit plan and Quorn Calendar.

One service is normally held each Sunday, at 10.30 am.

Once a month a Sung Evensong service is held at 6.30 pm.

An additional Book of Common Prayer Communion service is held once a month on a Wednesday morning at 10.00 am.

A Family Service takes place generally on the 4^th Sunday of the month, but families with children are welcome at every service and there is both a children’s play area and creche.

Additional seasonal services are held, particularly during Advent and Holy Week.

Dependant upon the season or feast days, special services are held. Information of these can be obtained from the Circuit Office or from Quorn Calendar.

The granite building itself, Romanesque in origin with additions in each successive century, is Grade 1 listed. It contains a private chantry chapel in excellent condition, and the 14^th century tower contains a peel of eight bells. Its 20^th century two storey extension, housing kitchen, toilets and various other rooms, was funded through sale of Quorn’s Methodist chapel a few years after the churches unified. Music is led from a fine organ and a four-part adult choir leads singing on Sundays. The choir regularly sings anthems at Church Festivals throughout the year and at Special Services.

The church also owns a well used and fully refurbished hall nearby which houses a daily nursery as well as accommodating a wide range of church and other events. There is a close relationship with the C of E primary school, named after the church, and also with Rawlins C of E Academy.

Financially the church is stretched to meet a full Parish Gift to the Diocese as well as Circuit Assessment and the costs of an expensive building, so generous giving is constantly encouraged.   In terms of churchmanship Quorn United is recognisably both Methodist and Anglican, its members acknowledging and respecting both traditions, and engaging in the wider life of both. Governance is in the hands of a ‘United Church Council’ which serves the dual purpose of Parochial Church Council and Methodist Church Council. Its members are all Trustees of the church. Church Stewards and Church Wardens form a single body which covers all the roles demanded of those offices.

Church Groups

• Tuesday 7.30 pm BellRingers
• Friday 7.30 pm Choir
• Saturday 10.00 – 12.00 ‘Coffee & Chat