The Churches of the Mattishall Benefice

Mattishall

Mattishall is one of the larger rural villages in Norfolk with about 2500 people. It is situated about 5 miles east of East Dereham and 10 miles west of Norwich. It is well served by the main A47, which runs just north of the parish and provides easy access to west and east.
There is one School for Infants and Juniors and then the children go to one of the two excellent High Schools in Dereham. Mattishall also has the main doctor's surgery for the area, a chemist, butcher, Post Office, two newsagents, a pub and grocery stores.  We are within striking distance of Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s.

Housing is mixed. There are some starter homes and young families, which are well served by the schools. There is still a residual farming community and some traditional Mattishall folk, but now it is mainly a commuter village to Norwich and Dereham. The village has the feel of a local rural community but with many of the benefits of suburban life. It is a very lively village with many activities for children and adults.

All Saints Church, Mattishall 

This is an evangelical, charismatic church. They run a yearly well supported Alpha course in the local school, and have four cell groups and three home groups. They have a common worship service at 9.00am.  They have a music group who lead substantial parts of the worship at the 10.30 service assisted by the use of a video-projector.

There is a Youth Church and this has been an influence in a number of couples coming to us from outside the parish because they are concerned to provide a lively Christian culture for their children. The church is deeply committed to this work and wants to see it continue to grow.

East Tuddenham

This is a small village with about 500 people with an active Jubilee Hall.

All Saint’s, East Tuddenham. This church has a small, but enthusiastic, congregation.  In addition to the normal Common worship services they organise a service of their own once a month that involves the majority of the congregation.  They also have a cell group.

North Tuddenham

Not the smallest of our communities but split by the ‘new’ A47 and consequently has a rather dispersed feel to it.

St Mary’s, North Tuddenham . This is a very small congregation but one which arranges, for its size, a good number of activities to which members of the village come.  It has introduced a new monthly service, which has moved away from the BCP, in an attempt to attract others to the Church.

Hockering

This is the second largest Village in the Benefice and the site of the Curate’s house.  It has some facilities including a small but healthy school, a pleasant pub as well as a few other shops.  There have been more new houses built here recently then elsewhere in the Benefice and the likelihood of more to come. 

St Michaels, Hockering (Electoral Roll 13). This is another small but growing congregation.  There is some involvement in the small Church of England voluntary controlled school.  There is a cell group which is for Hockering and North Tuddenham.

Welborne

This is another small rural community of about 130 people but with a very active Village organisation which is centred on the Old School Room.  Creative and cultural activities occur about once a month culminating in the Welborne Arts festival with a budget of over £20,000.

All Saint’s Welborne. This traditional congregation is of mixed ages. A Home Group meets every Wednesday, a cell group on Tuesday Evenings. 

Yaxham

The rural community of Yaxham of about 350 people is divided into two sections. It is a caring community with many social organisations, which enjoy the facilities offered by the focal point, the Village Hall which lies close to the Church.   It has a well regarded Voluntary Aided Primary School which has recently moved into a brand new building.  This has close links with the Church.

St Peter’s Yaxham Many Church members are also members of various organisations and are seen as Christian seeds within them. Yaxham is noted for being a very prayerful Church. The Services are mainly Common worship and often clergy led.  They have at times been held in the Village Hall.

Benefice Aspects:  The Benefice Staff Team

Each congregation has a minister responsible for its nurture and progress and lay involvement is emphasised at all times. Although we are currently in an interregnum and therefore we do not have a Vicar at the moment, we have an active and committed team of one Assistant Minister, one OLM, five readers and two others in training.

Benefice Services

On the fifth Sunday in the Month and on other special occasions we hold well attended benefice services which reflect the host Church but which will also have a flavour of our other Churches. 

All our Churches have medieval buildings.