St Wilfrid's Church, Alford

Situated in a prominent position in the centre of the town, St Wilfrid’s is open during the day to provide a quiet space for prayer and reflection.  There has been a church on this site since around 1150, and parts of the current building date back to the 14th century.   There are some original features amongst which are a 14th Century screen, a fine Jacobean pulpit, traces of 16th Century glass and a 17th Century tomb in the chancel.

The church was restored in the 1860s when a second north aisle, vestry and organ chamber were added and the tower was raised and decorated with pinnacles. The tower houses six ringing bells, frequently rung by a dedicated team of bell ringers. There is also an ancient sanctus bell.

Over the south porch is the Parvis Room, used as the first grammar school in Elizabethan times. One of its pupils was possibly John Smith. Saved from death by Pocahontas, he became Virginia’s first governor. In 2007 the town celebrated his centenary.

A church guide book, published about 1998, is still available.

Recent additions to the church include over 200 embroidered kneelers, many dedicated to family members, and often with designs representing some of the town’s clubs and organisations.

St Wilfrid’s has a regular organist and a team of bellringers. We use Hymns Ancient and Modern, New Standard and Hymns Old and New. The Family Service usually incorporates modern hymns and choruses.

We have ecumenical links with other churches in the town (Methodist, Independent Congregational and Alford Christian Fellowship) with our Plough Sunday, Civic Service, Brigade Services, Women’s World Day of Prayer and Remembrance Day Services. Relationships between the churches are friendly, and we hope that contact with these other churches can be maintained and perhaps extended.

We keep St. Wilfrid’s open during the day, something that has been remarked upon favourably in the Visitors’ Book. A prayer request book is available near the entrance.

We are very proud of our church and we are very pleased to welcome visitors and new members into it at any time.

The adjacent Church Hall provides a space for social events and the Social Team organises events such as quizzes, rambles and suppers as well as Flower Festival in the church in August.

St Wilfrid’s Services are available via zoom as well as in person at the Church.

Zoom access details: Alford Group Services – Zoom Details
Join Zoom Meeting by internet:
https://zoom.us/j/92116681704?pwd=cWRtdTdsb0Z6Tm9POU5kbXRzUUh6Zz09
Meeting ID: 921 1668 1704
Passcode: 423773
Join Zoom meeting by Landline:
0330 088 5830 United Kingdom
Meeting ID: 921 1668 1704
Passcode: 423773