Saint James the Less Lancing and Coombes Weddings

Christian Marriage

'The Church of England affirms, according to our Lord's teaching,

that marriage is in its nature a union permanent and life long, for better for worse,

till death them do part, of one man and one woman...'

[The Canons of the Church of England]

Weddings are conducted at S.James's for Christian couples according to the requirements of English Law.

S.James's is thrilled to welcome anyone who chooses to come to our worship and events. But to be married here it is necessary for a couple to qualify by Law.

The legal qualifications were extended in October 2008 to include couples at least one of whom

· lives in the parish now or has at any time for a period of six months;

· or worships regularly at S.James’s now or has at any time for six months;

· or was baptised at S.James’s or was presented for Confirmation
by S.James’s;

· or has a parent who has lived or worshipped here for six months;

· or has a parent or grandparent who was married at S.James’s.

Please note, Fr Roger does not conduct Weddings when there has been a divorce and the previous partner is still alive. He will however be pleased to talk to you about a Service of Prayer after a Civil Marriage if this is your situation.

Please note, a Civil Partnership is also in this country a legal bar to entering into Marriage until it has been legally dissolved.

[Please also note, the same conditions about qualification and regarding divorce apply to Weddings at Coombes. Coombes is a separate parish, so those qualified to marry at S.James’s do not necessarily qualify for Coombes.]

If you wish to enquire about being married at S.James's on the basis of the Christian understanding of Marriage outlined above and in accordance with present legal qualifications, please ring Fr Roger [01903 753212] to make a date to see him.

Parish boundaries

S.James's Parish is that part of Lancing within the following boundaries:-

South - the Railway Line (Lancing South of the railway line is S.Michael's Parish - see link) http://www.stmichaelslancing.org.uk

East - the River Adur.

West - the middle of Boundstone Lane and a line projecting from it north to the Downs and South to the railway line (West of Boundstone Lane is Sompting Parish).

North - the Downs.