Holy Sepulchre Northampton

10/06/2026

The news from Northern Ireland over the last days has been highly disturbing, both because of the violent attack on Monday, that left a man seriously injured, and because of the violent disorder that followed. The scenes of burning vehicles are perhaps a reminder of earlier troubles, but scenes of people running from their homes, when they had been deliberately inflamed, is simply terrifying. The scenes that we have all seen represent a complete detachment from the concept of lawful protest, and will have left many feeling profoundly anxious.

Yesterday afternoon I was made aware of posters, circulating in far-right channels online, that called for protests across 70 locations in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Northampton was listed there, and the location given was 'All Saints' Square' (sic). We have regularly refused to permit political protests and rallies in our precincts, especially where they have attempted to adopt the iconic façade of All Saints' Church to benefit their cause. Our anxiety about the spectre of these protests, and not least their links to the abhorrent scenes we saw in Belfast last night, were (we're pleased to report) unrealised, but the fear they created was real. People should never be made afraid of approaching a Church, and I condemn the instigators of these protests for raising that anxiety, and for promoting disorders that have seen people and their homes attacked because of their ethnicity or alleged immigration status.

As the people of Belfast and Northern Ireland begin restoring the peace in their communities, I'm grateful for an undertaking from Northamptonshire Police that there'll be increased patrols tonight. We shall, as ever, be maintaining our schedule of worship, and will be offering Choral Evensong at 6pm as we join our prayers for peace and calm.

All Saints' Church strives to be open most of the hours of daylight, and acts of worship take place here five days a week. We are a town that knows the cost of destruction, and which ought to treasure what we have. We make a warm invitation to all who wish to gather, pray, and work for peace, and an end to violence on our streets.

Father Oliver Coss SSC
Rector

08/06/2026

At the end of this month we'll be celebrating the minor patron of our parish, by heading to St Peter's Church, Marefair for Choral Evensong and Benediction. This takes place on Sunday 28th June at 5.30pm.

All welcome!

02/06/2026

Starts tonight

02/06/2026

Nice to get a shout out in First Pick Of The Season for Heritage Week.

Ready? Set?... Go! Yes the event directory is now live, with over 1,600 events for you to hunt through. The team’s first picks range from immersive theatre exploring food histories to a church open day showcasing local farming lives (including a ‘giant’ legend from the 17th century). Heritage ...

21/05/2026

Studies consistently show that many people report feeling closest to God, the sacred, or “something bigger than themselves” in nature. I know this is true for me.

So since we seem to have hit our two weeks of summer carve out some time to just be outside.

Lay on the grass, look at the sky, listen to the birds and just be.

Speak to God, ask him a question, unburden your worries and know you are held by him. Just as he looks after the birds, the flowers, the trees so he cares for you.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Mathew 6:26

18/05/2026

18/05/2026

Whatever you are doing this week we hope you have all the blessings and comfort you deserve. Services this week are 10.30am on Tuesday and 4pm on Sunday.