Places of worship in Malvern, Worcestershire
Introduction Among the '''places of worship in the town and area of Malvern, Worcestershire''' are centres of dedication to many faiths and denominations. The town has 31 Christian churches with 11 belonging to the Church of England, ranging from low church to high Anglo-Catholic, two Roman Catholic, one Evangelical, and the others being  Non-Conformist and other faiths. Its oldest place of worship is the almost cathedral sized parish church of Great Malvern Priory which is all that remains of the former 10th century abbey in central Malvern, which according to the Worcester Monastic Annals, work began in 1085.The chain of Malvern Hills lies in a north-south  direction, thus posing a challenge for the architects of Christian churches located on the steep slopes, chancels being traditionally  sited at the east end of the building. Many churches were built in the 19th century concomitant with the rapid expansion of the town due to  its popularity as a spa. A few modern buildings such as St Mary's Church (1960) in Sherrard's Green, have been constructed in  the  second half of the 20th century, and some churches, notably St Andrews in  Poolbrook, have had important modern extensions added during the first decade of the 21st century.As of 2022 there are no facilities for other faiths in Malvern. A synagogue in Worcester was created by Ashkenazi Orthodox evacuees from Birmingham during World War II. However, by 1973 the community had become so small it was not possible obtain a minyan and the remaining members voted the community out of existence. The nearest synagogues are the four in Birmingham. The small ''Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community'' serves Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire holding services in various locations throughout the counties. There are two established mosques in Worcester serving the Muslim community. The nearest Sikh gurdwaras are located in Birmingham, Smethwick, and Leamington. Hindu temples for the region and the nearest venues for other faiths  are mainly in the Birmingham - Black Country - Coventry area.All institutions are listed in alphabetical order by faith, denomination and facility. Some link to their more complete Wikipedia pages.
Church  of England ===All Saints Church===thumbStyle of worship: Open evangelicalAll Saints remains as one of two C of  E churches in  Malvern Wells following  the closure of St Peter's Gothic style church designed by  Robert Jearrad (1836). Built in 1930 in 13th-century  style in  Malvern rag-stone  by  architect Troyte Griffith of Nevinson  & Newton, to whom Sir Edward Elgar dedicated an Enigma Variation, it  is located on steep sloping common land donated by  Lady Emily Foley, it has a semicircular apsidal chancel which demonstrates the architectural challenges of east-facing chancels on the flanks of the Malvern Hills, and an organ by Nicholsons.Location: Wells Road, The Wyche, Malvern WellsBuilt: 1903Architecture: 13th-century style.Architect: Troyte GriffithOrgan: Nicholson & Co Ltd.Bells: One, in  a small  turret.Notable people in cemetery:Parish:Malvern Wells and WycheIncumbent: Dave Bruce (Chase Team Rector) Website:  All Saints, Malvern WellsFurther reading: Roden, Hugh C. B. (1923) ''A guide to All Saints' Church, the Wyche, Malvern''. W. H. Lovel, Malvern. OL17391375M===Great Malvern Priory, Church of St Mary & St Michael===thumbStyle of worship: Anglican. Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)Location: Church Street, Great MalvernBuilt: from 1085Architecture: Norman, and 1440 Perpendicular. Grade 1, one of the largest non-cathedral parish churches in England. 15th century stained glass windows.Organ: 1875 Nicholson & Co Ltd. Refurbished  Rushworth and Dreaper in 1927 and 1977, and again by Nicholons in 2003.A Certified Historic Organ.Bells: 10, being a ring of eight with a flat 4th, earliest dating from c1380.Notable people in cemetery: Anne Darwin, daughter of Charles Darwin.Parish: Great Malvern, Deanery of Malvern and Upton. Incumbent: The Revd Rod Corke, VicarWebsite:  Great Malvern Priory===Christ Church===South door, Christ ChurchStyle of worship: Standard Church Of England liturgy, 'relaxed and informal'.Location:  Avenue Road, Great Malvern, within  200 metres of Great Malvern station and Malvern St James independent girls school.Parish: Christ Church. Built: 1875, the church  is a Grade II listed building, and an English Heritage grant  (2015) aided place of worship,  Architecture: Designed and built by T D Barry & Sons of Liverpool to seat 700 people, its architecture is based on pure 14th century Gothic style with  a 55-metre spire and an east  window by Charles Eomer Kemp.Organ: 1,486 pipe organ constructed by Nicholsons of Malvern in 1884, restored and repaired in 1971 and 1986.Bells: Two  bells in  the tower, a 6 cwt  in C, and a 7 cwt in D were cast by John Taylor & Co, Loughborough in 1875.Notable people in graveyard: The church  does not  have its own graveyard; burials take place in the nearby Great  Malvern cemetery in Madresfield Road.Incumbent: vacant (2022).Website:  Christ Church, Malvern===Church of the Ascension===Church of the AscensionStyle of worship: 'Forward-looking Church of England using a modern Catholic liturgy based on an inclusive, liberal theology'. Location: Somers Park Avenue, Link Top. Parish: Malvern Link with Cowleigh. One of the three churches in the parish that also includes St Matthias' Church in Malvern Link and St Peter's Church in Cowleigh. Built: 1903.Grade II listed building (1991)Architecture: Early  English Gothic by Gothic revival  architect Sir Walter Tapper, his first  church. Early English style in Cotswold stone with lancet windows,  featuring a stone relief of the Ascension by Harry Hems. Modeled on a 13th century Cistercian monastery, the building  is noted for its acoustics and is a regular venue for choirs and Gregorian chants.Bells: none. The former two bells were sold in the 1960s to raise fundsNotable people in cemetery: no consecrated cemeteryCurrent incumbent: As of 22 April 2018, The Rev. Phillip Johnson, vicarAffiliations: Progressive Christianity Network Britain.Church web site:  The Ascension Centre for Contemplation and ReconciliationParish website:  Malvern Link with Cowleigh ===Holy Trinity===Holy Trinity ChurchLocation: Link Top, North MalvernParish: North MalvernBuilt: 1850-51  as a Chapel of Ease to Malvern Priory, It became its own parish in 1869.Expanded 1872, 1896-7, 1908-9 (Grade II Listed) Architecture: Early Decorated/Early English by Samuel Daukes, London, with influences of the Oxford MovementBells: 2Organ by Nicholson & Co Ltd of Worcester, 1878.Later organs (electronic), 1975, 1988, by Makin OrgansNotable people in cemetery:Current incumbent: , Rev Rebecca Elliott, vicarWebsite:  holytrinitymalvern.===St Andrew's Church===St Andrew's, PoolbrookStyle of worship: Open evangelicalLocation: PoolbrookParish: Malvern Wells and WycheBuilt:1882 by Sir Arthur Blomfield in memory of a member of the Chance Brothers glassware family.Architecture: by G. Lewis Sheppard in13th century style (Early English).Bells: 1Notable people in cemetery:Current incumbent: Dave Bruce (Chase Team Rector)Website:  St Andrew's and All Saints===St Giles Church (Little Malvern Priory)===Little Malvern Priory Church.Style of worship: Location: Little Malvern Grade I listed (1968)Parish Little Malvern, Built: 1125Architecture: was part of a Benedictine Priory founded in 1171.14th - 15th century 15 and has some Norman remains.Bells: 1 by John of Gloucester ca. 1354Organ: 1882 by William Hill & Sons, London. Refurbished 2018-19 by Nicholson & Co LtdWindows: Stained glass, 1480Notable people in cemetery:Current incumbent: Revd. Stephen Sealy (Non-Stipendiary Incumbent)Website:  Little Malvern Priory=== St James's===St. James Church, West MalvernStyle of worship: Location: West MalvernParish: West Malvern St. James (Benefice of Malvern Holy Trinity and St James West Malvern), Archdeaconry & Diocese of Worcester. Originally  'Mathon St. James',   renamed 1844Grade II  listed (1949)Built:1885Architecture: 13th century style (Early English). Malvern ragstone with ashlar dressings Bells:1Notable people in cemetery: Peter Mark Roget (1869) of ''Roget's Thesaurus''Current incumbent: The Revd Rebecca Elliott, vicar (as of January 2021)Website:  A Church Near You, St James and  Facebook===St Leonard===St Leonard's NewlandStyle of worship: High Church (Anglo-Catholic). Built as an Anglo-Catholic church and maintains its tradition of Oxford Movement ceremony, liturgy and worship  Location: NewlandParish: Former parish church of Newland, in 1998 it became the private chapel of the Beauchamp Community. Open to everyone.Built:1862.Grade I listedArchitecture: 14th century style by Philip Hardwick(p. 17),  Gambier Parry fresco technique by Clayton and BellBells:Notable people in cemetery:Current incumbent: Fr. Iain William Forbes , ChaplainWebsite:  beauchampstleonard===St Mary's Church, Pickersleigh ===Location: Sherrards Green Road, MalvernParish: Pickersleigh (a new parish created in September 2014). Built: 1958, originally as a chapel of ease for Christchurch to serve the many council estates in the area.Architecture: Mid 20th centuryBells: NoneNotable people in cemetery: No cemetery.Current incumbent (2020): The Rev. Lynne Sparkes, vicarWebsite:  St Mary's Church, Pickersliegh===St Mary  the Virgin===St. Mary's GuarlfordLocation: Guarlford Road, GuarlfordStyle of worship: BCP with hymns and Common WorshipParish: First built as St Mary's Barnards Green, a chapel of ease of Great Malvern Priory. Parish Church in 1866.Benefice of Powick and Guarlford and Madresfield with Newland, 1999.Built:1844 by George McCann, Malvern. Grade II listedArchitecture: designed by Thomas Bellamy of London.Bells: noneNotable people in cemetery:Current vicar/priest/minister: The Rev. Gary Crellin, Rector  (as of 2020)Websites:  Guarlford parish, and  Parishes of Powick, Guarlford, Madresfield, Newland===St Matthias' Church===St. Mathias, Malvern LinkStyle of worship: 'Forward-looking Church of England using a modern Catholic liturgy based on an inclusive, liberal theology'. Location: Church Road, Malvern LinkParish: Malvern Link with CowleighBuilt:1844 by Mc.Cann, Malvern. Tower added 1898-9 by  Collins & Godfrey of Tewkesbury. Grade II ListedArchitecture:  Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, and Harvey Eginton of WorcesterBells: 10, cast  by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough. #10  in 1899, 3 to 9 in 1900 and  #1 and 2  added in 1994.The Tenor weighs 16 cwt  and is tuned to F#. The first  full  peal of Grandsire Triples was rung  on 1 June 1901 in St Matthias See also: Stedman Triples rung at  St  MatthiasNotable people in cemetery:Incumbent: As of 22 April 2018, The Rev. Phillip Johnson, vicarAffiliations: Progressive Christianity Network Britain.Website:  St Mathias' ChurchParish website:  Malvern Link with Cowleigh ===St Peter's Church, Cowleigh===StPeters, CowleighStyle of worship: 'Forward-looking Church of England using a modern Catholic liturgy based on an inclusive, liberal theology'. Location: Cowleigh Bank, North MalvernParish: 	Malvern Link with CowleighBuilt:. 1865 II listed Architecture: George Edmund Street, designed in the High Church Anglican tradition. Bells:Notable people in cemetery:Incumbent: As of 22 April 2018, The Rev. Phillip Johnson, vicarAffiliations: Progressive Christianity Network Britain.Parish website:  Malvern Link with Cowleigh
Protestant, Reformist, other denominations ===Baptist===Malvern Baptist Church'''Malvern Baptist Church'''Style of worship: BaptistLocation: Abbey Road, Great MalvernAffiliation: Heart of England Baptist Association / Baptist Union of Great Britain.Built:1894.Architecture: Traditional church building in Victorian non-conformist geometric gothic style by George Ingall of Birmingham.Bells: NoneNotable people in cemetery: No consecrated churchyardCurrent incumbent: Rev Dave Clarke, minister (as of 2020)Website:  Malvern Baptist Church===United Reformed Church===United Reform Church, Malvern Link'''Malvern Link''', Worcester RoadFounded 1903 as Malvern Link Free Church (Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion)Parish/Affiliation: The West Midlands SynodMinister: Reverend Ken Martin (as of 2020)Web site:  URC in  Malvern Link'''Holly Mount'''Former Holly Mount URC, Queen's Drive, Great MalvernFounded 1876 Relocated 2019 to hold Sunday worship at  The Cube, Albert Road North, a community centre, with other activities held at the URC Church in Malvern Link and the Lyttelton Well Rooms in Malvern. Organisation/Affiliation: Malvern and Worcester team pastorateMinister: Web site:  Holly Mount Church In July 2021, plans were announced to convert the former Holly Mount church building on Queen's Drive for residential use.===Evangelical======Malvern Evangelical Church,===Malvern Evangelical Church (MEC), MalvernLocation: 204-208 Pickersleigh Road, Malvern WR14 2QXFounded: 1969Current Building Built:2015Affiliations: Evangelical Alliance.Current Pastor: Roy BournerWebsite:  Malvern Evangelical Church===Non aligned==='''Eden Church'''Repurposed: 2010Leader: Mike Dibbens Location: Eden Centre (since 2015), Grovewood Road, MalvernWebsite:  Eden Church
[[Catholic Church|Catholic]] ===St Joseph's Church===St Joseph's Church Style of worship: Roman CatholicLocation: 1245 Newtown Road, Link Top, Malvern, WR14 1PFParish: St Joseph, Malvern. Archdiocese of BirminghamBuilt: 1876.Expanded: 1997Architecture: Incumbent: Fr Naz Mgungwe, parish priest (as at 2020)Website:  St Joseph's, Malvern===St Wulstan's Roman Catholic Church===St.Wulstan's churchStyle of worship: Mass, Adoration. Benedictine with Gregorian Chant. Sacrosanctum Concilium ( Vatican 2 Decree on the Liturgy)Location: Wells Rd, Little Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 4JL,Parish: St  Wulstan, Catholic Diocese of Birmingham  (Worcester Deanery),Built: 1862.Major restoration  2003/4 aided by  a grant  from English Heritage.Architecture: 13th century French Gothic style.Bells:Organ:  1841 by John Nicholson. Refurbished/restored  1974, 1981, 2017Notable people in cemetery: Sir Edward Elgar, English composer; Dorothy Howell, English composerIncumbent: Fr Edward Crouzet, parish priest (as at 2020)Website:  St Wulstan's Church in Little Malvern
Christadelphian Christadelphian Hall, MalvernStyle of worship: Christadelphianism / Biblical unitarianismChristadelphian HallLocation: 21 Abbey Road, Great MalvernIncumbent: Christadelphians ("ecclesias") do not have  permanently appointed preachersWebsite:  Malvern Christadelphians
Interdenominational '''Wyche Free Church'''Style of worship: independent evangelical churchLocation: Jubilee Drive, Upper Colwall, MalvernFounded: ca. 1850Parish: self-governingAffiliation: FIEC - Fellowship of Independent Evangelical ChurchesBuilt: present church built in 1910Architecture: Bells:Notable people in cemetery: No consecrated churchyardElders (2020): Peter Goodbury, Rev John Grindell. Pastor: None (2020), weekly ministry of experienced visiting preachers.Website:  Wyche Free Church
Methodist ===Landsdowne Crescent Methodist  Church===Landsdown Methodist Church, Great MalvernStyle of worship: MethodistLocation: Great Malvern, Landsdown CrescentParish: South West Worcestershire CircuitBuilt: 1866Architecture: Gothic Revival, by John Tarring of London.Bells:Notable people in cemetery:Current vicar/priest/minister: Rev Nigel Coke-Woods, minister (as at 2020)Website:===Somers Park Avenue Methodist Church===Somers Park Avenue Methodist ChurchStyle of worship: MethodismLocation: Malvern LinkFounded on current  site: 1880sParish: South West Worcestershire CircuitBuilt: Current building: 1936.Expanded 1960-61Architecture: Bells:Notable people in cemetery:Current incumbent: Rev. Nigel Coke-Woods, minister (as at 2020)Website:  Somers Park Methodist
Non-Denominational ===Life Church===Closed in 2021Location: Meets at Malvern Vale Community Centre, Swinyard RoadAffiliation: Part of the New Frontiers Family of churches and Christ CentralBuilt: N/AArchitecture: N/ABells:N/ANotable people in cemetery:N/AIncumbent/Lead person: Immy Sharp, Children's and Community WorkerWebsite:  New Frontiers===Christian Science===The Great Malvern Christian Science Society Location: Poolbrook Village Hall, Poolbrook Road, Malvern, WR14 3JW===Jehovah's Witnesses===Location: Kingdom Hall, 1 Orford Way, Malvern, WR14 2EH===Quakers===Friends Meeting House, Malvern'''Friends Meeting House'''Style of worship: resembles the services of other Protestant denominations, although in most cases does not include the EucharistLocation: 1 Orchard Road, Malvern, WR14 3DAParish/Group: Worcestershire & Shropshire Area Meeting, Religious Society of FriendsBuilt: 1938.Architecture:  Designed by JR Armstrong, one of the Bournville Village architects.Bells: N/ANotable people in cemetery: N/AClerking Team: Elizabeth & Kevin Rolph and Melanie JamesonCurrent vicar/priest/minister: Paul Wyatt, Judith Badman, Jill Etheridge, Richard Bartholomew (Elders)Website:  Malvern Quakers===The Salvation Army===Style of worship: Christian, various Location: 62 Newtown Road, Link Top, MalvernParish: N/ABuilt: N/AArchitecture: N/ABells: N/ANotable people in cemetery: N/ACurrent vicar/priest/minister: Claire Mynott, Lieutenant (2022) Website:  Salvation Army Malvern
Buddhist Temple Bright Earth TempleLocation: 34 Worcester Road, Great MalvernBuilt: 1820s as a guest house, acquired by Amida Trust, 2014Style of worship: Mahayana Buddhism with emphasis on Pureland Buddhism.Orientation:  Amidism - Bright Earth Buddhism, a broad branch of Mahayana.Governance: Amida TrustAffiliation: European Buddhist UnionRun/managed by: Amitabha Fellowship leaders  Kaspa and SatyaWebsite:  Bright Earth Accessed 14 May 2022
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