Pattern of Services

First Sunday 9.45am Holy Communion

Second Sunday alternating 9.45am Family Service or 11.15am Matins

Third Sunday 6.30pm Evensong

Fourth Sunday 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP)

Fifth Sunday Benefice Service time and venue to be announced

Parish Prayer Group

The Parish Prayer group meets at 9.30am on Wednesdays, usually at 'Dewlands' .

This is a small informal gathering. We usually start with a short bible passage, sometimes one of us brings our 'daily reading' and we talk over what it means to us.

We spend time in prayer for the needs of the parish and benefice, and matters which may have come up in national and international news stories.

We finish with coffee and biscuits.

All are welcome to join us - for more information ring Anne (873726) or Caroline (873938)

History of our Church

HISTORY: Formerly a chapel in the neighbouring parish of Yetminster, it became a separate parish church in 1849 and the churchyard was consecrated then. It is now one of the seven parishes of the Wriggle Valley Benefice, which comprise Batcombe, Chetnole, Hermitage, Hilfield, Leigh, Ryme Intrinseca and Yetminster. The Rector lives in Yetminster and is assisted by one Non Stipendiary Minister, several retired clergy, the Brothers of the Society of St Francis at Hilfield, and three Sarum Readers.

Parts of the Church date from the 14th Century, with the addition of the Tower and South Porch in the 15th Century, and the North aisle in the 19th Century.

There is an excellent peal of six bells, retuned and rehung in 1995. Bands of ringers visit during the summer months.

There is a memorial near the vestry, commemorating a gift to the children of the Village School, now closed, of a blue coat and a red cloak to the most lovable boy and girl, chosen by their peers.

The main East window shows St Mary and St John between the crucified Christ, dating from about 1850, and another window in the East window of the North aisle shows the risen Christ with St Mary Magdalene. This was installed in 1900.

In the churchyard to the southeast can be seen the base of a mediaeval cross. This is a listed ancient monument, and predates the church by some time.

A service is held every Sunday with rare exceptions when there is a United Benefice Service elsewhere.

There is a good congregation, and visitors are always welcomed.

Welcome to Leigh Information Pack

MOVING HOUSE,is high on most people's list of life's more traumatic experiences? However, receiving a pleasant welcome, once you've finally exchanged a familiar neighbourhood for an unfamiliar one, can make all the difference and this was the idea behind the production of the 'Welcome To Leigh' Information Pack. Designed to be given to newcomers to the village- the pack will not only enable them to discover all that goes on in and around Leigh, but also, it's hoped, help them to make them feel at home. 'Welcome To Leigh', initiated by the P.C,C, and supported by both the Parish Council and the village itself, includes a booklet giving a range of local information. - from a mini-history of Leigh and the opening times of the village Post Office & Shop to details of club, societies and church services - and more besides... The pack also contains maps of Leigh and the surrounding area as well as a list of useful telephone numbers, bus & train timetables, a mobile Library schedule and a selection of local interest leaflets - including guides to the Jurassic Coast and nearbye Sherborne. Packs available from Dorothy Baldock

Family Services

Family Services are held on the second Sunday of alternate months at 9.45am. This time of informal worship is accompanied by a group of young musicians assisted by a few more experienced players. Refreshments are served after the service which normally lasts about 45 minutes.

Our August service was entitled 'Journeys' and was lead by Bishop George who helped us think about our spiritual journeys as well as some geographical ones which he has been on recently.

At the end of the service we sang a farewell hymn to Bishop George and Margaret as they are preparing to leave the Benefice to return to Australia.

sing along to the good old Aussie tune of Waltzing Matilda!

O God our Father, we praise and thank you
for all the wonders of your world,
for the flowers and the trees and every sort of animal,
they show your love and your goodness to all
O God our Father, O God our Maker,
we praise and thank you all the year through,
for our strength and our health, and every kind of blessing,
we praise and thank you for all that you do.

Thank you for George and thank you too for Margaret,
they’ve been a joy and a blessing to us;
they go now with our prayers for a bless’d and happy future,
back to “down under” - the place they love best.
O God our Father, O God our Maker,
we praise and thank you all the year through,
for our strength and our health, and every kind of blessing,
we praise and thank you for all that you do.