Welcome to Castle Church Stafford
Greetings from our team!
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Our Church
We are a growing church family based on the west side of Stafford. We believe in faithfully teaching the bible to all ages. We offer many ways to engage with Christ each week.
Our Belief
At the heart of our church family life is a trust in the living God who has revealed himself in Jesus and still speaks to us through his Spirit-given Word, the Bible.
Although we are an unashamedly Anglican Church, we have many members from all kinds of denominational backgrounds….and none!
Although we are a parish church rooted in the community and here to serve the local area, members come to us from across the town of Stafford and beyond.
Although we have clear convictions of our own, we want to welcome those who may not yet share them but want to explore the truth about the God who shows himself in Jesus.
Sunday Service
10:30am Morning Service / 5:00pm Evening Service
Watch our latest Service below!
Watch online!
Sundays are one of the spaces where we gather every week. We value these times as the whole family comes together to worship and pray, as well as exploring aspects of our everyday lives with a biblical context.
Running alongside our main service, we have dedicated programmes for children and teenagers. These fun and interactive sessions help our young people explore life through the lens of faith
Every Sunday service is streamed live on YouTube, so if you feel turning up in person is too big a step, why not visit us online first? You can also join us ‘down the line’ as all of our services can be accessed at any time through our YouTube channel.
Church Life
Prayer Meetings
This is the most important meeting of the month as we bring our prayers together as a church family. We meet in person at 2pm and at 7:30pm on zoom
Bible Studies
We hold several bible study sessions each week. We meet at various times and in different locations so there is opportunity for everyone to get involved.
Sunday School
Our children leave midway through our service to go to their various groups where they will study the same bible passage that is preached in the main service. There is also a toddler group for smaller children
Midweek Communion
We are a growing church family based on the west side of Stafford. We believe in faithfully teaching the bible to all ages. We offer many ways to engage with Christ each week.
Distinctive
every other Sunday 6:30pm in term time
Our Youth Group is for young people of Secondary School age. The time is divided up into games and activities along with small group bible studies
Christianity Explored
We run the Christianity Explored in small groups or as one to ones where we use this structured course to expore the Christian faith in a no pressure environment
Life Events
Weddings
Christians believe that marriage is a special relationship created by God. It involves a public commitment to a lifelong relationship of faithfulness and love between a man and a woman.
Baptism
As an Anglican Church, we baptise the children of professing Christians. The Baptism Service assumes that one or both of the parents are practising Christians and also already members of Castle Church.
Funerals
To speak to someone regarding funerals at Castle Church please contact the office where we can arrange for a member of our clergy team to speak with you
Our Staff
Philip Sowerbutts
Vicar (Senior Minister)
Philip is married to Claire and they have two adult children. He trained for the ministry at Oak Hill Theological College in London before serving his curacy at Kirk Ella Church near Hull with Johnny Juckes. Alongside his work at Castle Church Philip is the archivist and historian for Keswick Ministries. He is an expert on the history of the Keswick Convention and occasionally lectures on the subject. Philip will be on the speaking team for Keswick 2025.
Iain Lingwood
Curate
Iain is married to Hayley and they have two young boys and a baby girl named Martha. Iain is originally from Manchester (red, not blue) and met Hayley at the Cornhill Training course in London. Iain trained for minstry at Oak Hill Theological College in London.
Rev Dr Alan Hodson
Honorary Associate Minister
Alan is married to Jan and is a retired Baptist Pastor. He has led churches in London, South Wales, Brighton and Scotland. Alan was awarded a PhD on the Holy Spirit in the book of Hebrews in 2019. Alongside his teaching and mentoring work at Castle Church, he has published on 'The Holy Spirit in Hebrews' in an edited book (SPCK) dealing with the Biblical doctrine of the Holy Spirit.
Roy Ball
Honorary Associate Minister
He has worked as a minister all over the world from Stockport and Fazelely to chaplaincies with Intercontinental Church Society in France, Eastern Europe and Holland! Having retired to Staffordshire, Roy helps out with the teaching and preaching ministry at Castle Church as well as running the largest home group. He also provides clergy holiday cover for those serving in Europe with ICS as Missionaries
Christine Sykes
Associate Minister
Christine is married to Ian and they have an adult daughter Lizzie. Chris is a long-standing member of Castle Church and was lay-reader before being called to ordained ministry. Before ministry, both Ian and Christine worked in the coal industry. Christine co-ordinates pastoral care at Castle Church and leads a daytime Bible Study Group for ladies.
Ellen Tomlinson
Church Admin
Ellen is married to David. She works as our Church Administrator and volunteers as a Creche Leader. Ellen also lends a hand at the local Christian retreat centre Shallowford House.
Tammy Drinkwater
Safeguarding Officer
Tammy is married to Mark and they have three children. Tammy is a Senior Social Worker. She is also on the PCC and is a Toddler Sunday School team leader.
Emma Price
Parent & Toddlers Leader
Emma is married to Colin, they have two children. Emma works for Scripture Union for the four days she doesn't work for Castle Church! She also teaches Sunday School and Toddler Sunday School.
Barbara Boote
Church Warden
Barbara is married to David. She is retired from the Civil Service and oversees buildings and fabric at Castle Church as well as singing in the music group.
David Tomlinson
Church Warden
David is married to Ellen. He works as a Website Manager for Prayer for Israel. David volunteers as a Creche Leader and is part of the Senior Leadership team at Castle Church.
Castle Church is under the Episcopal oversight of The Bishop Of Ebbsfleet, Rt Rev Rob Munro
Safeguarding
Castle Church Stafford is dedicated to upholding the highest standards in safeguarding and nurturing the well-being of children, young people, and vulnerable adults within our parish community. We take our responsibility seriously, ensuring that all who enter our doors feel safe, valued, and supported.
Our committed Safeguarding Officer, Tammy Drinkwater, is available to address any concerns or inquiries you may have regarding safeguarding measures. Tammy can be reached at safeguarding@castlechurchstafford.org.
For a detailed understanding of our Safeguarding Policy, please refer to the full document available here https://castlechurch.org.uk/safeguarding/.
In addition to our local resources, support and guidance can be sought from the Diocese of Lichfield Safeguarding Team at https://www.lichfield.anglican.org/safeguarding/ 01543 306147 For urgent assistance outside of regular office hours, please contact the 31:8 helpline on 0303 003 1111 (select option 2). In cases where immediate harm is suspected, we encourage you to contact the authorities without delay and notify the appropriate social services agencies.
For concerns related to the safety and well-being of both children and adults, please visit https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/safeguarding-contacts to access further support and information.
At Castle Church Stafford, safeguarding is not just a policy—it’s a commitment to creating a secure environment where everyone can flourish in faith and community.
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