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St Mary - Mother of Jesus

Our church is named after St Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. Because of her unique role in bringing the Son of God into this world, she has always been worshipped and respected by Christians.

The name Mary is a form of the name Miriam, the famous sister of Moses - the name was common among Jewish women in those days.

The New Testament in the Bible tells of her receiving the news from a divine messenger that she would bear God's Son. St Luke's Gospel records her response: "Let it be to me according to your word."

The Gospel says that, shortly afterwards, Mary went to see her cousin Elizabeth, who, in her old age, became the mother of John the Baptist. Mary, and Joseph to whom she was betrothed, were obliged to travel from Nazareth to her Bethlehem, Joseph's ancestral town, and it was there that the baby Jesus was born. (St Matthew's Gospel also tells the story of the birth of Jesus, but in a slightly different way.)

Mary is mentioned again when she was looking for Jesus when he, aged 12, had stayed behind in Jerusalem whilst on a pilgrimage visit. Mary found Jesus talking with the religious teachers in the Jerusalem Temple, where all were amazed at his level of understanding.

The Gospel of John says that Mary was present when Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana. Mary stood at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified on Calvary. St John's Gospel says that, before he died, Jesus entrusted his Mother to his beloved disciple, St John, and Mary found her place among the young Christian community after Jesus' resurrection.

Did you know there are more Church of England churches dedicated to St Mary than any other saint?

Hymn: "Mary Did You Know?"

words & music by 

Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene

Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know, that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Will give sight to the blind man?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Would calm a storm with His hand?

Did you know, that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod
And when you kiss your little baby,

You've kissed the face of God?
Oh, Mary did you know.
Mary, did you know

The blind will see, the deaf will hear,
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
Praises of the Lamb?

Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations?

Did you know, that your baby boy
Was Heaven's perfect Lamb
And this sleeping Child you're holding
Is the Great I AM