Baptism & Confirmation

Holy Baptism (christening) is how someone becomes a member of the Church. In the Church of England we baptize both children and adults. The water of baptism washes away sin and gives the gift of eternal life, making the person being baptized part of the Body of Christ, the Church.

If you live in the parish or worship with us regularly — or would like to worship with us regularly — you are encouraged to bring your child for baptism. We normally baptize at the 10:30am Sung Mass on Sundays. You will need three Godparents, who should themselves be baptized and, ideally, confirmed and churchgoers.

If you are an adult seeking baptism we traditionally baptize and confirm at the same time. Confirmation (or "laying on of hands upon those that are baptized and come to years of discretion", as the Book of Common Prayer explains it) is administered by a bishop. It marks the adult ownership of the promises made at baptism, connects you to the wider church and gives you the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11.2). It is the normal route through which people are admitted to Holy Communion. If you are interested in the possibility of being confirmed, please speak to one of the clergy.

There is no charge for baptism or confirmation — the gift of faith is free. However, there is a fee for issuing a certificate of baptism (£18 in 2023).

Baptized children who are ready to affirm their own faith are encouraged to prepare for confirmation in special classes designed for their age group (we normally prepare children for confirmation from age 12 or 13). Most children make their First Communion when they are confirmed.