We are delighted to marry those who want to and are able to do so at this church, to offer prayers of love and faith with and for same-sex couples, and to baptise children. To enquire about availability for weddings and christenings, please click here and one of the ministers will contact you.

Bookings can also be made on any Sunday between 9.15 and 10.00am at the church on Wyresdale Road, or by contacting Vicar, using the link from the Contact Us page for enquiries and advice about these services.

Anyone who wishes to obtain copies of marriage certificates, or who wishes to check the marriage registers which churches once held, will need to contact Registry Services via Lancashire County Council, rather than coming to the church.

CHRISTENINGS (Baptism)

We will baptise any children who live in the parish, or whose parent(s) fulfil the wedding criteria below to do with family links with this church. Please contact us via the form, or come to the church on any Sunday morning between 9.15 and 10.00 to book a service with us. No appointment necessary.

For more information visit www.churchofenglandchristenings.org for:

• Parents’ guide
• A guide for Godparents
• A welcome for guests

           

WEDDINGS

You can get married at Christ Church, Lancaster, if you can show
that one of you:

• has at any time lived in the parish* for a period of at least 6 months or
• was baptised in the parish* or
• was prepared for confirmation in the parish* or
• has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish* church for a period of at least 6 months or

that one of your parents, at any time after you were born:

• has lived in the parish* for a period of at least 6 months or
• has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish* church for a period of at least 6 months or

that one of your parents or grandparents:

• was married in the parish*

*’The Parish’ consists of all those parts of Lancaster covered in the following areas: Newton, Ridge, Freehold, Moorlands, Standen Gate and Standen Park, and the new developments around them.

Please note: in order to book a wedding we will need to see proof of identity, eg passport, and proof of address, e.g. a recent bank statement or utility bill, for each partner. A deposit of £100 is also required. This is taken from the total cost of the wedding.

As of the 4th May 2021, anyone who is not a UK national can marry in church, but will need to obtain a Marriage Schedule from the Registry Office, in addition to a Common Licence to marry. We will guide couples through this and can advise further. The Church will still need to check ID, usually through passport/driving licence, and a utility bill.

How much does it cost? The fee for a wedding is £592 (plus optional fees for the organ, and any video recordings). Some of these fees are set nationally and will change each January, so we will confirm these with you. You will need to arrange with a florist for any additional flowers beyond what may be in church on the day. Please contact the Vicar if you would like a church wedding but are working to a very tight budget.

How will we get the marriage certificate? As of the 4th May 2021, Marriage Certificates will no longer be issued by churches during the wedding ceremony. A Marriage Document will be signed by the couple, with up to 6 witnesses during the service. This Document gives space for both parents to be recorded (historically, only the fathers of the couple were listed). The Minister will return this Document to the Registry Office after the service ends, who will then issue the Marriage Certificate within a fortnight. For couples who need immediate proof of their marriage (e.g. for a honeymoon) whilst waiting for the Certificate, the Minister can provide this on request.

I’ve been married before. Can I get married at Christ Church? We will conduct weddings where one or both partners have been married once before. We will need to see an original copy of your decree absolute. If you have been married more than once then we may be able to marry you. Please contact the Vicar, using the link from the Contact Us page.

You may also like to visit yourchurchwedding.org for more information.

BANNS OF MARRIAGE WHEN YOU ARE MARRYING IN ANOTHER CHURCH

If you are getting married in another church, but one or both of you live in this parish, we will need to call your Banns of Marriage. The Vicar marrying you will advise you of this. To have your Banns called at Christ Church please come on a Sunday morning between 9.15 and 10.00. We will need to see proof of identity e.g. passport, and proof of address: e.g. recent bank statement or utility bill, for each partner. Both people need to come and sign the form. A fee (currently £54, but this will change each year) is payable once the Banns have been called  and we issue you with a certificate.

PRAYERS OF LOVE AND FAITH

Prayers of Love and Faith are offered with and for a same-sex couple who love one another, and who wish to give thanks for and mark that love in faith before God. The service celebrates in God’s presence the commitment two people have already made to each other (e.g. in a civil marriage ceremony), and is an occasion for rejoicing. The prayers are offered to express thanksgiving and hope; that those who are dedicating their life together to God may grow in faith, love and service as God’s blessing rests upon them. Please contact the Vicar if you would like to arrange a service of Prayers of Love and Faith.

OVERALL 

We want to be able to help you plan and prepare your special occasion, and do everything we can for it to take place here. You can contact the Vicar using the links in Contact Us for an informal conversation.