Life Events - Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage
Holy Baptism
What is Baptism?
Baptism - also known as “Christening” - is when a person publicly acknowledges his or her faith in Jesus Christ and is the beginning of their membership of the Christian Church. When children who are not old enough to answer for themselves are baptised, their parents and Godparents answer for them (see below).
Who can be baptised?
We are delighted to baptise any child whose family lives in the parish. We would encourage parents first to come and find out if Holy Trinity is the sort of church they would like to belong to.
As a parish, we have an open baptism policy and are happy to baptise any adult who lives in the parish and who expresses a desire to follow Christ. Adult baptism always takes place after a period of preparation, which is usually held together with those who are preparing for Confirmation. Those who are being baptised are also encouraged to take this further step of Confirmation.
For a map showing the parish boundary see
A church near you. Note that this shows the whole parish of Holy Trinity, Christchurch and St Johns, and that one of these may be your local church.
Support for children by Parents and Godparents
Children are always supported at Baptism by their parent(s) and/or guardian(s) and usually by Godparents. These adults are asked publicly to acknowledge their own faith, to bring up the child(ren) within the family of the Church and encourage them to consider Confirmation when they are older and can make their own Christian commitment.
Preparation for a Child's Baptism
We provide preparation for Baptism for the child’s family (and Godparents if they live nearby) so that they are aware of the significance of what is being done for their child, and can be offered the help and support of the local Church as they seek to carry out the promises made in the service.
And next?
Please contact us via the Parish Office if you want to find out more about Baptism at Holy Trinity - either as an adult, or for your child.
Baptism preparation is normally held in your home at a convenient time for you. This will be arranged for you by one of our baptism preparation team:
Contact the Parish Administrator, via 'Baptisms' on the Contacts page.
For whether you live in the parish see this parish map A church near you.
You can find out which parish you are in from Parish Finder - from 'A Church Near You'
For further information about Baptism and Confirmation, visit the Church of England's "Life Events - Baptism & Confirmation" page.
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Confirmation
Is Confirmation, for you, the next step of faith?
- Have you been coming to church but not receiving Holy Communion?
- Have you recently returned to church and are increasingly interested in spirituality and faith?
- Are you a young person who now wishes to make your own decision about faith?
- Have you been a regular churchgoer for years and yet now feel the need for refreshment or new direction?
If you are inclined to answer even a hesitant 'yes' to any of these questions, please speak to one of us:
Liz Hammond - SPA (Southwark Pastoral Auxiliary)
or email us via the
Contacts page.
Confirmations are held in different churches in the area with candidates from several churches.
For further information about Confirmation, visit the Church of England's webpage -
Life Events - Baptism & Confirmation.
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Marriage - Weddings
Are you thinking of getting married in Church? These questions and answers are intended to help you decide whether you can be married in this church and what to do next.
Can we be married in this parish church?
Any person who lives in the parish of Holy Trinity & St Peter is entitled to be married in this parish church, provided you are a baptised and confirmed member of the Church of England, or of a church in communion with the Church of England and you and your prospective spouse satisfy the law of the state. For whether you live in the parish see this parish map
A church near you.
Whom should we contact?
If you live in this parish and want to be married in this church, or you want to have your banns of marriage read in order to be married in another CofE church then please simply email the Parish Administrator via the
Contacts page or via the Parish Office 0208 542 1388 (answerphone).
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