In the heart of rural Herefordshire, a small village church is proving that worship can be as delicious as it is inspiring. Welcome to Preston Wynne's most unexpected Church Service – a pizza (and sometimes prosecco) afternoon service that's bringing generations together in ways no one could have predicted.
Rev’d Roberts Paul explains how he’s no longer struggling to get families to traditional morning services. With kids rushing off to sports and parents juggling weekend commitments, this rural church community found a fresh approach to engaging people with a very laid-back afternoon service that's as much about community as it is about faith.
Preston Wynne is a beautiful church nestled in the middle of a field, in rural Herefordshire. With fewer than 200 residents in the village, the church can only be reached on foot so isn’t exactly what you’d describe as accessible. Paul explains: “To make this service work with food, we have to carry every piece of equipment across the grass. It's a labour of love to set things up so installing a pizza oven on site meant there was no bulky heavy load to carry.” As he puts it so perfectly: "This isn't just about worship. It's about building community and making faith accessible to everyone." The Saturday afternoon service which is held at 4 o’clock has managed to do something special – it's bringing together young families and long-time, older congregation members in a way traditional services were not achieving. “It’s a good time. People are more relaxed. They’re not in a rush to leave and they stay and chat after the service. We are really building community and it’s wonderful.” Adds Paul.
Thanks to the Mission Mustard Seed funding from Hereford Diocese, the church purchased a permanent pizza oven ensuring their commitment to creating a welcoming, innovative space for worship and community continues.
Preston Wynne is showing that a little creativity can go a long way. It's not about changing the message – it's about changing how we deliver it, explains Paul. “I mean, who can refuse the lure of fresh Pizza?”
At its core, this approach reflects living faith: the Gospel message is timeless, but its presentation must speak to each generation. Just as the early church adapted to different cultures and contexts, this rural church is finding new ways to share the good news. It's a powerful reminder that faith isn't about preserving traditions but about connecting people to God's love in ways that resonate with their lived experiences. By being willing to step out of comfort zones and reimagine worship, this small rural church is doing something revolutionary – ensuring that the transformative message of Christ continues to find new ears, new hearts, and new lives in 2025.
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