St Mary's
Sturminster Marshall
St Stephen's
Kingston Lacy
St Bartholomew's
Shapwick
About the Bridge Benefice
These three beautiful villages are situated between Wimborne Minster and Blandford Forum in the county of Dorset and in the Diocese of Salisbury. Each village has its own church, with lots going on, but we also enjoy getting together for joint services and social events.
The photo at the top of the page shows White Mill Bridge, where the three parish boundaries meet. There has been a mill here on the River Stour for centuries. Now in the care of the National Trust, it is well worth a visit.
To find out more about what's going on across the Benefice please explore our website further.
We also work closely with our neighbouring parishes in the Lower Stour Benefice: Spetisbury, Charlton Marshall and Lower Blandford St Mary. In fact, we share a priest-in-charge, Rev Carolyn Couzens, who has taken up the post very recently.
Ash Wednesday (26th February) -- the day after Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) -- marks the beginning of the season of Lent. It is a time when we reflect on the sacrifice which Jesus Christ made for us when he died on the cross. We commemorate this momentous event on Good Friday. By thinking about what Jesus did for us, and by trying to do something for Him, for our neighbours, and for the beautiful world He gave us, we can make amends for those things we are not proud of, and we can renew our determination to be good, kind and caring.
There are lots of things happening in our churches during the next few weeks. Some of these are designed to help us in our reflections, other occasions will bring us together as friends and neighbours to enjoy each other's company and to show we care for one another.
Please join us. It will be lovely to see you.
Saturday 22nd February, 7.30pm, Old School, Sturminster Marshall
Call My Bluff
Light supper and licensed bar. Tickets £10. (In aid of St Mary's church)
Wednesday 26th February, 9.00am, St Mary's, Sturminster Marshall
Ash Wednesday Service
Mondays in March (2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th), 7.30pm, Old School, Sturminster Marshall
Lent Course. Learn, reflect, renew.
Saturday 7th March, 7.30pm, Pamphill Village Hall
Quiz Evening
With Ploughman's Supper. (In aid of St Stephen's church)
Sunday 8th March, 2.30pm - 5.00pm, Old School, Sturminster Marshall
Afternoon Tea
Enjoy this graceful and delicious English tradition. (In aid of St Mary's kitchen & toilet fund)
Good Friday, 10th April, 3.30pm, St Mary's, Sturminster Marshall
Service of Reflection
Including Gasparini's Stabat Mater (1770) performed by the Bridge Benefice Choir and the Stour String Trio
Easter Saturday, 11th April, 3,00pm - 4.30pm, St Mary's church, Sturminster Marshall
Eggstra Fun for Easter!
An event especially for children and families to celebrate Easter
Easter Sunday, 12th April
9.15am Easter Communion Service - St Mary's, Sturminster Marshall
9.15am Easter Communion Service with Choir - St Stephen's, Pamphill
Our Monthly Service Rota
Safeguarding
In the Bridge Benefice we take our responsibilities concerning the safeguarding of children, young people, and vulnerable adults very seriously, and we try to ensure that we always work in accordance with best practice. To view the Safeguarding Policy of each of our churches please visit their webpages.
For any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our Safeguarding Officer,