New to the Abbey?

What is Bath Abbey like?

Different people may give you very different answers to this question. Some may mention the magnficent music, others the interesting sermon series, others the engagement in social action. Within all the variety of the worship of this place, however, there are some features that you can expect to find whenever you choose to join us. 

First, we believe in structure without rigidity. All of our services, whether formal or informal, have a discernable structure. This is because we believe that people find it easiest to become fully involved in worship when they have an idea of what is coming next.

Second, we believe in quality without stuffiness. We do things as well as we can in terms of the preparation of liturgy, preaching and music. At the same time, however, we know that there are more important things in life than getting everything exactly 'so'. 

Third, we believe in being welcoming without being overwhelming. We know that sometimes what is most needed is the opportunity to sit through a service quietly and unnoticed. At the same time, we want to make it as easy as possible to find a full and genuine welcome here. So, whenever you choose, please fill in a welcome card. This will prompt us to meet with you for coffee; an opportunity to get to know you and to point you towards aspects of our life that might interest you - most of which are detailed in the worship pages of this site.