Baptisms 

If you live in one of our parishes we would be very keen to consider the possibility of a baptism (sometimes called 'christening') service for your child.

Baptism marks out those who belong to the community of God’s people (the church) because of their faith in Jesus Christ. It therefore entails certain beliefs on behalf of at least one of the child’s parents together with a promise to regularly attend one of our churches with their child. We find that some who inquire about baptism do not fully appreciate this. We also therefore offer a thanksgiving service for parents who, after consideration, find that they cannot with integrity make such commitments.

Do phone the Administrator on 07745479407 who will put you in touch with the Vicar who will chat the next stage through with you and send you a booklet to help you consider these things further.

Your wedding

Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life and we try to make the ceremony as memorable as we can for all couples married at either of our churches.

We have welcomed couples holding receptions from all over the Ashdown Forest ranging from our villages of Maresfield, Nutley and surrounding towns and villages like Buxted, Uckfield, Crowborough or further afield.

There are all sorts of rules surrounding eligibility to be married in the parishes and you must have a meeting with one of the clergy to check if you might be eligible -  some detail on the rules are available here.

Please call Angie, the Church Administrator on 07745479407 if you wish to make a wedding booking and she will put you in touch with the Vicar  who will chat the next stage through with you and help you consider things further. (Please ensure that you do not book your reception or honeymoon until you have first agreed a date with the Church).

We should add, that in order to stress Jesus’ teaching that marriage should be lifelong, we do not usually marry those who are divorced and whose previous partner is still alive. However we do want to reflect God's welcome to all, and his readiness to forgive and heal the past when we come to him in faith. Therefore, depending on your circumstances, we may be able to hold a wedding or a service of Prayer and Dedication after a civil ceremony, if you are willing to seek God's support through regularly attending one of our churches.

Our Administrator can arrange the Church bells for you (at a charge of £25 per rope), an organist, choir, church flowers and PA  system.    A list of all charges will be given to you when when discussing a booking.

We ask for a £100  deposit to secure the booking which is fully refundable should the wedding not go ahead for any reason.     

​Guideline instructions for wedding photography
  • We welcome photographers to St.Bartholomew’s, Maresfield and St.James the Less, Nutley and recognise how important the albums and recordings are for happy memories of your special day.
  • It is expected that there will be one photographer and possibly one assistant.    If you would like to engage additional people, please speak to the Vicar.
  • Please make it clear to family and friends who your nominated photographer is and explain to your guests that if they become intrusive, the Verger will ask them to sit down.
  • Whilst we encourage photographers to take pictures of our beautiful and ancient Church, we do not allow them to be in the main aisle during the service.    Apart from being intrusive for the couple and wedding guests, it does pose a health and safety risk.   Photographers are welcome to move freely around the Church before and after the service.
  • Photographers are not allowed to take pictures or videos during the signing of the register, by law.    We can set up a photo opportunity when the registers are signed.
  • We mainly ask that photographers are discreet and considerate to your invited family and guests.  


Funerals


We are sorry that you are in need of a funeral service. These should initially be organised through a Funeral Director, who will then contact us if you live in one of our parishes.

Our Churchyards

Our Churchyards have their own regulations if you are seeking to introduce a monument; more information available here