For almost 1000 years worship has been offered to God in Great Budworth Church and although the style of that worship has changed over the centuries – from the Latin masses of the Augustinian Friars to the preaching services of the Puritans in the 17th Century, its essence remains unchanged: love of God and gratitude for all that God has given us, especially the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.
The Book of Common Prayer is still used for almost half of the total number of services per month, emphasizing the continuity of worship from the Reformation onwards, while the Church of England’s New Common Worship Service Book is used for most of the main communion services. On most Sundays there are three services in the church, and once a month Evensong is held at St Mary’s Chapel, Arley Hall. Regular services are also held during the month for pre-school children and their carers.
The importance of agriculture for the parish is reflected in a number of services throughout the year – Plough Sunday, Rogation Sunday Lammas and of course Harvest Festival in the autumn.