St Michael’s Church has been at the heart of our community for nearly 800 years. Next year 2026, we celebrate the 800th anniversary of the church.
2026 events
To mark the occasion, a number of events are being planned between May and September. These include two concerts of differing musical styles, and exhibitions/displays related to the community.
Special service
There will also be a Thanksgiving Service for which music is being especially commissioned.
to a service of Thanksgiving for Great Gidding Church of England Primary School, and its place in the village since 1846
on Sunday 16th July at 11.00 am in St Michael’s Church with Rt Rev Stephen Conway, Bishop of Ely
to be followed by a light buffet in church – RSVPby 8th July if you can join the lunch to Rev Fiona Brampton revfiona@norleigh.org.uk; 29 Church Road, Great Stukeley, Huntingdon PE28 4AL
There is no service at St Michael’s Church on Easter Sunday (9th April). However, we are joining our friends in Winwick at their service of Holy Communion at 9.30am at All Saints Church, Winwick.
A Great Gidding resident had a lovely surprise when two visitors from the USA called to convey their thanks in person to Bruce Jordan this afternoon.
Heather Goldman is the granddaughter of Wayne Humphries, one of the survivors of the Bam Bam air crash, and had looked forward to visiting the site and seeing the memorial that Bruce and his wife Lois had diligently researched and compiled for preservation in St Michael’s Church.
Heather and her husband Federico are over for just one week and this stop was the most important on their trip as preserving the memory of her grandfather and his friends means so much to their families.
Well done Bruce (and Lois) for your dedication in ensuring that the air crew of Bam Bam will not be forgotten.
Read the original post about the crash and the memorial here
Heather visiting Bruce Jordan Heather and Federico in front of the Memorial
Heather’s comment before her trip to Great Gidding
… I also plan to visit the church to see the memorial Bruce made for those men who died in the crash-my grandfathers friends. I would also like to thank Bruce for all of his work and dedication to preserving the history of this event. It means so much to our families!
The death of the Queen was marked by the following events;
8/9/22 – A single bell tolling on the night of the announcement of Her Majesty’s death.
9/9/22 – Service of Reflection and Thanksgiving
Led by churchwarden, John De Val.
The service included short extracts from some of the Queen’s broadcasts. It included the following from a broadcast on her 21st birthday in 1947;
I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service, and to the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong”
and from her first Christmas broadcast in 1952 looking ahead to her coronation the following year;
Many grave problems and difficulties confront us all, but with a new faith in the old and splendid beliefs given us by our forefathers, and the strength to venture beyond the safeties of the past, I know we shall be worthy of our duty.
Above all, we must keep alive that courageous spirit of adventure that is the finest quality of youth; and by youth I do not just mean those who are young in years; I mean too all those who are young in heart, no matter how old they may be. That spirit still flourishes in this old country and in all the younger countries of our Commonwealth.
On this broad foundation let us set out to build a truer knowledge of ourselves and our fellowmen, to work for tolerance and understanding among the nations and to use the tremendous forces of science and learning for the betterment of man’s lot upon this earth.
You will be keeping it as a holiday; but I want to ask you all, whatever your religion may be, to pray for me on that day – to pray that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life.
The bells of St Michael’s were rung fully muffled before the service. Bells are normally only rung fully muffled (i.e. muffle on both sides of the clapper) on the occasion of the death of the monarch. The bells are rung half muffled for funerals and Remembrance Sunday.
Local ringers Mary Read and Neville Browning were joined by three friends from the Peterborough Branch to complete the band.
10/9/22 – Proclamation of Charles III
Read by John De Val
Video clips taken by Terry Murfitt
18/9/22 – Service of Commemoration and Vigil
This service included the words of the Queen’s last Christmas broadcast in 2021 which was very personal and is worth reading as it can remind us all of some the qualities which she demonstrated during the 70 years of her reign. It can be found at
There will be a short Service of Prayer and Reflection remembering her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in St Michael’s Church this evening Friday 9th September.
The service starts at 7pm, and will be led by our churchwarden, John De Val.
There will be a service of Choral Evensong in St Michael’s Church on Sunday 15th May, starting at 4pm. The singing will be led by the Peterborough Chamber Choir; the service will be conducted by the Benefice Rector, Revd Mandy Flaherty.
All are very welcome. There will be wine and nibbles after the service.
It is hoped that the bells will be rung for the first time for nearly two years.
St Michael’s Church is now closed until further notice.
This is to enable large scale restoration work to take place at the east end of the north aisle. It is anticipated that this work will last until early March. Access to the church will be for authorized personnel only. The scale of the work does not permit us to set aside a limited space in the church for private prayer and quiet.
Little Gidding Church open
However, please note that St John’s Church, Little Gidding is open seven days a week between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
Services in the Baptist Church
The Baptist Church has very kindly offered the use of their building during this period. Therefore on Sunday 16th January, there will be a service of Evensong in the chapel, taken by our churchwarden John De Val and starting at 4pm.
Enquiries
If you have any enquiries regarding the closure or services, please contact John De Val, telephone number: 01832 293417
