Market Place, Ashbourne
Sunday at ten,and every day between
We are a church in the middle of a market town, and the building is busy all week — toddlers on Monday, the lunch club on Thursday, a quiet day once a month.
Three ways in
Most people start with one of these. None of them is a commitment to the others.
Sunday worship
Ten in the morning, about seventy-five minutes, coffee before and after. Songs, a reading, a talk, prayers. Nobody will ask you to stand up, speak, or say what you believe.
What a Sunday is likeThrough the week
Toddlers on Monday, Bible study on Wednesday, the lunch club on Thursday, choir on Friday. More people find this church through a weekday than through a Sunday.
See the weekRetreats and quiet days
Four times a year we take a day away at Morley — silence, a long walk, one talk and a proper lunch. No experience of any of it required, and people come who are not part of the church.
This year's dates
Minister since 2019
Sam Adeyemi
I came here from a hospital chaplaincy, which taught me that most people turn up somewhere like this at the worst week of their life, not the best one. So we try to be easy to walk into.
I am in the office Tuesday to Thursday and I would genuinely rather answer an awkward question on the phone than have someone stand outside wondering.
More about usWhen we worship
Every week, whatever the weather and whoever turns up.
- Sunday 10:00 Morning worship
Doors open half an hour before. There is a staffed welcome desk in the porch, a room at the back for anyone who would rather listen than be seen, and a hearing loop throughout.
What's on
The next few things worth putting in a diary.
In their own words
“I came for the toddler group because it was raining and it was free. Three years later I am still here and my daughter thinks the church hall is hers.”
“Nobody tried to convert me at the lunch club, which is exactly why I ended up staying. They just kept putting a plate in front of me.”
Who else has a key
Ten organisations use this building every week. Most of them have nothing to do with the church.
The questions people actually ask
Usually on the phone, usually apologising for asking.
What time should I arrive, and where do I go?
Any time from half past nine. Come in through the Market Place door — there is someone on the welcome desk who will not make a fuss of you unless you want them to. If you would rather slip in at the back after it starts, that is completely fine and happens every week.
What do people wear?
Whatever they came out of the house in. You will see suits and you will see running kit, usually in the same row.
Where do I park?
The Shaw Croft car park is two minutes away and free on Sundays. There are four accessible spaces in the church yard itself, off Church Street.
Is the building accessible?
Step-free from Market Place, an accessible WC off the hall, a hearing loop throughout, and large-print orders of service at the desk. The gallery is up sixteen steps and there is no lift to it. If something here would not work for you, ring and ask — we would rather sort it out beforehand.
What happens with my children?
They are welcome in the whole service and nobody minds noise. Twenty minutes in, there is a group for 3–11s in the hall if they would like it; you are welcome to go with them. Everyone who works with children here is DBS-checked and our safeguarding policy is on the about page.
Will I be asked for money?
A bag is passed round during one song. It is completely normal to let it go past, and visitors are asked not to give — you are our guest.
Can I come if I am not sure what I believe?
Yes, and a fair number of the people sitting near you will be in the same position. Nothing you attend here signs you up to anything, and nobody will ask you to declare a position at the door or anywhere else.