St Mary the Virgin
Stanwell
A historic parish church serving Stanwell as a place of worship, prayer, Christian formation and community.
Sunday Parish Mass at 11:00
St Mary’s Stanwell and St Matthew’s Ashford
Two Churches, One Mission
We are one parish family, worshipping in two church buildings and united in the Catholic faith and in Christ’s call to worship, serve and make disciples.
“Let all who come be received as Christ.”
One parish family
A spiritual home for everyone
Whether you come to explore our historic churches, to pray where generations have prayed before you, or in search of a church to call home, you will be warmly welcomed.
Rooted in two communities
Our two parish churches
St Mary’s and St Matthew’s have their own character and history. Together, however, we are one parish: sharing one sacramental life, one pastoral care and one mission.
St Matthew’s
Ashford
A welcoming town-centre church serving East Ashford through worship, pastoral care and practical concern for the wider community.
Sunday Parish Mass at 09:30
A welcome from the Parish Priest
Come as you are
A newcomer can sometimes feel isolated among unfamiliar faces, ministries and opportunities. We want to minimise that feeling and help you discover the rich life of worship, community and service shared across our parish.
St Mary’s and St Matthew’s seek to be places where every person is counted as part of our faith family. We impose no condition on those who come through our doors other than a willingness to be open to the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ.
Whether you are confident in faith, returning after many years, or simply beginning to ask questions, there is a place for you here.
Yours in Christ,
Fr Stuart King SSC
Parish Priest
Who we are
Catholic faith in the Church of England
We are a parish in the Spelthorne Deanery of the Diocese of London, under the episcopal care of the Bishop of Fulham. We stand within the Catholic tradition of the Church of England and seek to proclaim the Gospel faithfully in our own age.
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28.19
As part of the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church—the Body of Christ—we seek to take Christ’s mission seriously and act upon it intentionally through worship, formation, pastoral care and service.
The life to which God calls us
A people of love, faith and hope
The sacraments, the saints, the teaching of the Church, the example of Our Lady and the beauty of the liturgy all draw us more deeply into the life of God.
Called to love
God’s purpose for us is participation in his own life of love. Christian worship and discipleship form us to love God and our neighbour, and prepare us for the fullness of life with God.
“Faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”
Called to faith
Our deepest questions—Who am I? What is my life for? Where am I going?—express a longing for God, who is the source and goal of every human life.
In Jesus Christ, faith gives us a sure foundation and teaches us that our purpose is to live and grow in love.
“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”
Called to hope
Suffering has no easy answer, but the Cross reveals that God does not abandon us in pain. Christ calls his Church to remain close to those who are sick, grieving, lonely or burdened.
Christian hope trusts that God can bring grace, healing and new life even from the darkest circumstances.
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.”
Find your place
Belonging and serving
Parish life reaches beyond Sunday worship. Discover ways to serve, build friendships, learn about our patron saints and understand our relationship with local Church schools.
Lay Ministry
Baptism calls every Christian to share in Christ’s priestly, prophetic and servant ministry. Explore ways to welcome, read, serve at the altar and care for others.
Explore lay ministryParish Groups
Find friendship, service and shared interests through bell ringing, the choir, Mothers’ Union, Scouting and other parts of our common life.
Discover parish groupsOur Patrons
Learn about the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Matthew the Apostle, whose faith, discipleship and intercession help shape the spiritual character of our parish.
Meet our patron saintsParish Schools
Discover our relationship with Ashford Church of England Primary School and Stanwell Fields Church of England Primary School, nurturing faith, learning and community.
Learn about our schoolsFrom vision to daily life
Living our shared mission
These pages show how our shared Catholic identity becomes a practical life of worship, prayer, discipleship, pastoral care and service.
Christian Beliefs
Discover the faith we have received: belief in the Holy Trinity, the saving work of Jesus Christ, the life of the Church, the sacraments and our Christian hope.
Explore what we believeOur Mission Action Plan
See how the parish is discerning its priorities and putting Christ’s mission into practice.
Read our mission prioritiesParish Rule of Life
Explore the common pattern of worship, prayer, learning, generosity and service which helps us follow Christ faithfully in everyday life.
Read our Rule of LifeCome and meet us
Questions about the parish may be sent to office@smam.org.uk or discussed by telephone on 01784 259093 .
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