We are delighted that you are thinking of having your child Baptised at St. Mary’s in the Parish of Stafford and we join you in thanking God for your child’s birth. We hope that this page will answer some of your questions. However, please feel free to contact us should you have any further queries.

In the service of baptism we are not only thanking God for the safe arrival of your child, we are also asking God to make the child a member of the church through the Sacrament of Baptism. The words in the Baptism service are few and easily said, but the responsibility for asking for Baptism in the first place, is yours, and so is the responsibility for bringing up your child as a Christian, within the family of the Church. Your child is not only dependent on you for food and protection, but also dependent on you in these early years, for their faith too.

Because each local church has a geographical area for which it is responsible, it is important that your child’s baptism takes place in your local parish church. This helps to keep us together in the family of Christ. It is for this reason that Baptism takes place in the parish church where you live or where you normally worship.

The map (Do you live in the parish?) shows the boundaries of the Stafford Parish which includes St. Mary’s.

What if I don’t live in the parish?

We can only arrange Baptisms within the parish if you have a special reason for having your Baptism at St. Mary’s e.g. you were married here. If you do not live within the parish or do not normally worship here we cannot baptise your child without the permission of your own parish priest.

St Mary’s normally has a Baptism service on the last Sunday of the month at 11:15am. We will have up to four Baptisms at this service. If you really need an alternative Sunday you will need to speak to the Rector.

Contact the parish office on 01785 258511. The office is open from 09:00 to 13:00 from Tuesday to Thursday. You will then be given a Wednesday evening appointment between 18:00 and 19:15 to speak further about the Baptism.

We are often fully booked for months in advance so please make contact as soon as you can.

During the week before the baptism one of the priests or baptism visitors will contact you to visit at home. This allows you to ask any questions and allows the priest to get to know you. They may also go through the service so that know what is happening or this may happen at the baptism service. The main thing is that we get to know each other – if only a little.

What do I as a parent, do during the service?

Baptism is the start of a child's journey with God and during the service you will make some decisions for your child. You will need to be able to answer the questions which the priest will ask in the name of the church. You will receive a special candle during the service and individual certificates for parents and godparents as a reminder of what you have promised.

Is there a fee?

There is no fee but the costs of running this church are very high and therefore we ask that you give generously in the plate provided. If you are a tax payer, please complete an envelope (to be found in all the pews) with your donation; it enables the church to recover some money from the government.

Can I be baptised too?

Of course. And we would be delighted if you wanted to make this commitment. With adults however, we would expect to give instruction and Baptism would normally be combined with Confirmation. Please speak to the Parish Administrator and she will put you in touch with the priest.