Weddings, Christenings, Baptism, Confirmation & Funerals

Congratulations!  We'd love you to get married in one of our beautiful historic churches.

Please contact the Parish Office - 0191 5160135 (open Monday - Friday, 9am - 12pm) or email Monkwearmouth.Parish@durham.anglican.org  and Val, our Parish Administrator will make an appointment for you to come into the office to check your eligibility, discuss your requirements and to confirm the availability of dates.

Please be aware that we cannot begin to make a booking until you first produce a valid Passport, Birth Certificate or National Identity Card that proves you have UK, EU or Swiss citizenship. Please bring one of these documents to your appointment.

NB: A Driving Licence is not acceptable proof of citizenship.

Other eligibility criteria may also apply to Foreign Nationals.

Baptism for babies and children takes place in a service called a Christening. In this service parents thank God for His gift of life, make a decision to start their child on a journey of faith and Godparents promise help and support.  The church also promises to welcome the child and to pray for the family.

To find out how to proceed please telephone or email the Parish Office so our Administrator can check your eligibility and take your contact details. This information is then passed to the Clergy Team who will be in touch with you about the first steps you need to take.

Parish Office Contact details: Tele: 0191 5160135  (Monday-Friday, 9 am - 12 pm)

or email Monkwearmouth.Parish@durham.anglican.org

To find out more about Christenings please click on the button below.

Some parents might want to celebrate the gift of a child in a different way without the commitment that baptism involves by having a Naming Ceremony or Thanksgiving Service. During the Thanksgiving Service/Naming Ceremony parents and families give thanks for the birth or adoption of a child and everyone prays for family life. It can take place in church with the congregation, or with just family and friends gathered, or elsewhere such as home, or even in hospital.

A Thanksgiving Service is not a Baptism. There are no promises to make about the Christian faith. The child will be blessed and prayed for, and supporting friends will promise to support the parents in bringing up their baby.

What next?

Please contact the Parish Office 0191 5160135 (open Monday - Friday, 9 am - 12 pm) or email us at: monkwearmouth.parish@durham.anglican.org

You are never too old to be baptised or confirmed!

What do you have to do?

First, you need to contact the Parish Office 0191 5160135 (open Monday - Friday, 9 am - 12 pm) and arrange to speak to one of our Vicars. 

You may be asked to attend a few sessions to explore more about what it means to be a Christian, usually joining others who are exploring faith as well. 

There there will be a special service at your local church where you will be baptised.  In the Church of England this may involve water being poured on your head at the font (as in our Parish) or in some churches full body immersion.

Whether you have been Christened as a baby and are looking to take the next step, or have never been baptised, 

Confirmation can take place at your own church, at a cathedral or in another Parish church. There will be hymns and readings and the Bishop will lay hands on each person's head reciting special prayers. Please click on the link below for a Confirmation FAQS sheet which should help to answer any questions you may have. 

What next?

Please contact the Parish Office 0191 5160135 (open Monday - Friday, 9 am - 12 pm) and arrange to speak to one of our Vicars. 

When someone we loves dies we can find it hard to know what to do and where to find the help we need about arranging a funeral.  We will always be here to help to guide you through this difficult time. The Church of England has some helpful information regarding making the funeral personal and reflecting the life of your loved one. There is information about planning the funeral,  choice of hymns, readings etc. and a step by step guide to help you.

To find out more about funerals in the Church of England please click on the button below.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at the Parish Office for information about holding a funeral at one of our churches or at a crematorium. 

Parish Office: 0191 5160135

 (open Monday  -  Friday, 9 am  - 12 pm)