Patronal Festival Report - St Mary's, Slaugham

St Mary’s, Slaugham, West Sussex
Patron saint: The Blessed Virgin Mary
Festival date: 31 August

St Mary’s Patronal Festival became a true village celebration thanks to its happy alignment with the annual hamlet street party. Blue and white flower displays and cupcakes, prepared for village competitions, were donated to the church for the Evensong gathering. The sense of anticipation was evident, and the congregation grew from its usual thirty-five to more than one hundred, remarkable for a parish that had not held Evensong for decades.

Coro Nuovo sang superbly, their voices revealing how beautifully the church’s architecture suits choral music. The rector preached on sainthood in the modern age, and both visitors and choir members valued the reminder that this was an act of worship rather than a concert. Parishioners spoke of the comfort and depth they found in the liturgy.

After the service, JubyLee Bakes charity provided a generous afternoon tea, and people stayed talking for more than ninety minutes. Creative Expressions, the local art group, contributed works on the theme of St Mary’s, displayed in the chapel during refreshments, and the evening concluded with a well received historical tour led by Brian Funnel.

The parish expressed heartfelt thanks for the grant and for the inspiration behind the initiative. The festival strengthened village ties and drew many who would not ordinarily attend church, making it a joyful and hopeful occasion.