Community
Serving Lewisham
A worshipping community whose focus is on engaging with and serving the communities across Lewisham.
The Therapeutic Garden
A peaceful retreat in the churchyard, open to all, every day. It was established in 2017 by the Ladywell Unit and St Mary’s Church to promote mental well-being through gardening, and it is kept going by volunteers — who meet weekly, and who would be glad of your help whether or not you have ever gardened before.
Bell ringing
St Mary’s has a ring of eight bells, rung by the tower’s own band from a chamber up the medieval stair. Visiting ringers are welcome at practice, and so is anybody who would like to learn.
Practice nights, visiting and learning to ring — or read about the tower and the bells themselves.
Mothers’ Union
A branch at St Mary’s since 1895, supporting family life in all its forms — the Children’s Corner at the back of church, tiny garments for premature babies, and fundraising for work from Lewisham to Zimbabwe. Anyone may join, single or married, male or female, parent or not.
Heritage Open Days
Every September the church opens its doors for England’s largest festival of history and culture — free, no ticket, and no need to book. The 2026 theme is Everyday Histories, which suits a building whose records are mostly of people at work.
Linked charities
Charities founded to serve this parish still do — small grants for people in hardship and for under-25s in education, thirty-two almshouse flats for people over 60, and the halls at St Mary’s Centre on Ladywell Road. They are independent of the church and make their own decisions, but very few people in Lewisham know they are there at all.
Lewisham Churches for Asylum Seekers
We are proud to be a member of LewCAS and to work with compassion to support refugees and asylum seekers in our community. We host an ongoing food collection and fundraise for their work. St Mary’s is a safe haven for all, regardless of where you began your journey.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”
To find out how to support this work, contact the parish office.
St Mary’s CE Primary School
Our church school stands directly opposite the church, and in April 2026 Ofsted judged it a strong standard in all seven areas it inspects. The Vicar leads worship there, the children are in and out of the church through the year, and a team from the congregation goes in every week to listen to them read. It is a Church of England school and it is for children of all faiths and none.
Concerts and events
The church is used throughout the year by choirs, orchestras and bands from across south London, from local primary schools to the Lewisham Choral Society. See music and concerts.