We are delighted to anounce that the Revd Clare Dean will be joining us in October. But while we are still in vacancy please contact the Church Warden (Who’s Who) or use the Contact Us page to get in touch, thank you.
Stour Vale Benefice takes its responsibilities surrounding the safeguarding of children, young people, and adults who may be at risk very seriously, and works in partnership with the Diocese of Salisbury to ensure that we work in accordance with best practice at all times.
Please click here to see our Benefice Safeguarding Policy
If you have any Safeguarding questions or concerns you can contact our Benefice Safeguarding Officer, Jeremy Stanford 07766 071538
Alternatively you can contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Suzy Futcher (Mon – Thurs) 07500 664800 – suzy.futcher@salisbury.anglican.org or Jem Carter (Tues – Fri) 07469857888 – jem.carter@salisbury.anglican.org
From the West end
Welcome to the webpages for Fifehead Magdalen Church, Dorset. Local or visitor, we hope you find the infomation you seek here. You will be welcome at any of our services and other events, whether or not you are a regular church goer, and irrespective of whether you are a committed Christian or enquirer. (Although St. Mary Magdalene’s is a Church of England Church, you don’t have to be a member of the CofE to worship with us).
Life events
The font (dating from the 15th century, with an 18th century base)
The Parish Church of Fifehead Magdalen is here for all who live in the parish and may be able to help others with connections to the village too. If you are looking to arrange a baptism or wedding, or if you are interested in being confirmed, please contact the Benefice Administrator who will be happy to provide the information you need.
Funerals are usually arranged by the Funeral Director but we do have more information about church funerals here to help you think about what you would like.
Visiting us
The Good Shepherd Window
The “where we are” page shows the location of Fifehead Magdalen Church on a map, and also information for use with maps / GPS. There is some parking alongside the churchyard. Our church is usually open during the day, for those seeking a quiet space to prayer and reflect, or to look around the building.
The Church of St. Mary Magdalene,
Fifehead Magdalen,
Dorset,
SP8 5RT.
Altar and reredos, the latter
St. Mary Magdalene’s Church and Churchyard
Newman family monuments
Our church is small but full of character. We are lucky that it was restored and reordered early in the twentieth century rather than the nineteenth, by which time more sensitivity was shown to retaining as much as possible of the structure and character of the old building as well as monuments, features and fittings. Thus we have a building largely dating from the fourteenth century, with artifacts to remind us of those who have worshipped here in the intervening centuries.
The churchyard and its wildlife
The churchyard is also of interest – not just for the gravestones and “cross”, but also for it’s being a smal haven for wildlife. We have in the past been awarded the Bishop’s Prize in the Dorset Nature in Churchyards competition.
You can read more about the building on our history page. If your ancestors came from here this page may help you (nb we don’t hold old parish registers in the church – they are in the County Record Office)
However, an old building also results in maintenance requirements greater than a modern building; if you have an interest in the preservation of this church and would like to make a contribution please contact a church official.