All Saints Church in south Shropshire has created an innovative outdoor worship space, transforming a previously unused section of its churchyard into a vibrant outdoor worship area, breathing new life into this historic sacred space.
The project involved clearing centuries of soil and debris that had gathered in one corner of the churchyard. Through careful landscaping work, the area has been converted into a level, grassed space specially designed for children's activities and Muddy Church gatherings.
The new outdoor worship initiative, which launched following support from the diocesan mission fund's Mustard Seed programme, now hosts monthly services. These gatherings centred around a fire pit, regularly attract up to twenty children and twelve adults from the local community.
Reverend David Moss said, "By reclaiming this forgotten and unused corner of our churchyard, we've created something truly special—a place where families can connect with their faith in a natural setting. Our Muddy Church services bring a new energy to our congregation and help children explore their spirituality in ways that speak to them."
The project represents an innovative approach to making church spaces more accessible and engaging for younger generations while respecting the historic nature of the churchyard. A number of churches have been using Muddy church as a model for worship that attracts people of all ages. Rev’d David adds: “We know that coming inside the church building can be an obstacle for some people. This is such an easy way to connect the Good News of the Bible, helping to reach people and going beyond our beloved church buildings.”
You can learn more about our Mustard seed mission funding here. If you're interested in exploring new worship patterns or looking at your church mission, contact our Mission and Ministry Team and arrange a chat.
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