Bishops Cannings St Mary

This Parish is registered with the Parish Giving Scheme which allows you to give to this Parish securely and safely online. Please click 'Regular Giving' to set up a monthly, quarterly, or annual Direct Debit or ‘One-Off Gift’ to make a single gift using your Debit, Credit Card or Apple/Google Pay wallet.

Bishop's Cannings is a village situated in the Vale of Pewsey, three miles north-east of Devizes, Wiltshire. The parish includes the village of Coate and the hamlets of Bourton, Horton and Little Horton.

The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin is Grade 1 listed, originating in the 12th or 13th century, with many early English features surviving. It was altered in the 14th and 15th centuries and restored in the 19th. Pevsner writes that it has "uncommon size and nobility", being part of a Bishop's estate.

We are part of a Benefice Team comprising eight rural churches and served by a Team Rector and several retired clergy and Lay Worship Leaders. Services at St. Mary's are held weekly with the main service at 9.30 am which includes an Organist and robed choir. "Common Worship" is followed with Holy Communion twice a month. An 8 am Book of Common Prayer service is also provided alternate Sundays.

The church community could be described as typically rural with a broad central tradition. We have a "Friends" group which organises several well attended social events during the year together with an annual Fete and 5000m dash. There are also strong links to our village C of E (Aided) Primary School with pupils attending regular school services and events held in the Church.  

"The parish of Bishop's Cannings & Etchilhampton: St Mary the Virgin is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Salisbury's safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services."