The Grade 1 listed  St Etheldreda’s church is mentioned in “England’s Thousand Best Churches” and contains one of the country’s largest and most impressive medieval wall paintings (c.1440) of Saint Christopher.

It serves Horley and other villages in the Ironstone Benefice as you would expect as a place of worship and it is also a central part of our community as the venue for many events from the annual Ironstone Chamber Music Festival, Dramatic Performances , Fetes, Christmas Markets,  and more.

The people behind our magnificent church building are organised into formal teams and groups that use the church for events:

Ministry Team – Provides the lead for worship and the provision of pastoral care throughout the eight parishes of the Ironstone Benefice. Horley: St Etheldreda is a part of the eight churches of the Ironstone Benefice in North Oxfordshire.  Here is the latest service information.

Parochial Church Council – Whilst the spiritual activities of our church are led by the ministry team, the executive management is in the hands of the Parochial Church Council, which consists of the clergy and churchwardens of the parish, together with lay representatives who are elected each year at the Annual Parochial Church meeting.

Church Wardens – are legally responsible for all the property and moveable goods belonging to a parish church.

The Ladies Guild – plans and organizes various fund-raising events in the village in support of the Church and other charities. They take care of the church interior with a cleaning rota and decorating with flowers. Events include the Summer Fete, Christmas Market, Coffee Mornings and more.

Also see the Michael Hardinge Trust. as many of the church activities are closely tied both in location and people.

Bookings – For religious services such as weddings, baptisms and funerals, contact Reverend Alicia Baker rectorofironstone@gmail.com

For all other non-religious events contact the church warden Charles Cozens charles@ifstr.com