A church A church

Churches and worshipping communities

The Diocese of Chelmsford brings together more than 500 Church of England churches and worshipping communities across Essex and East London.

We are the second largest Diocese in the country in terms of population serving a population of more than 3 million people. We celebrate our huge diversity in terms of geography, demography, ethnicity, culture and church tradition.

A church near you 

Wherever you live, there is a Church of England church that is always there for you through life’s biggest moments – and at other times togo.  

Serving local communities

Our churches and worshipping communities are at the heart of their local communities across Essex and East London. This has particularly been the case in recent years as many of our communities have faced extraordinary challenges as a consequence of the COVID 19 pandemic and the current cost of living crisis. 

The news stories below provide an example of the work that they do. 


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Latest news from our churches and schools

Meeting

A joint statement from the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Archdeacon of West Ham and Rabbis from Jewish communities in East London and Essex

11 June 2026

On Sunday 7 June, the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, and the Archdeacon of West Ham, the Venerable Mike Power, met with local Rabbis to express their solidarity at a time of rising antisemitism in the UK and around the world. Following the meeting they agreed a joint statement.

Bishop Lynne Safeguarding Service 2026

Annual Service of Thanksgiving for all involved in Safeguarding - sermon by Bishop Lynne

11 June 2026

On Monday 8 June people from across Chelmsford Diocese, many of them Parish Safeguarding Officers,  gathered at Chelmsford Cathedral for the Annual Service of Thanksgiving and Recommitment for all thoseinvolved in the work of Safegaurding in our Diocese.

Diocesan Choral Festival

Choirs from across Essex and East London gathered for the Diocesan Choral Festival

19 May 2026

Singers representing 15 different churches from across the Diocese gathered in the Cathedral for the Diocesan Choral Festival 2026.

St Bartholomew's East Ham

Bishop Guli’s Lent and Holy Week Pilgrimage 2026

31 March 2026

This year, Bishop Guli is walking the Barking Area Art Trail for her Lent and Holy Week Pilgrimage.

Open-air service

Growing together in Boreham: two congregations come together in faith and friendship to serve the local community

30 March 2026

Since 2024, St Andrew’s, Boreham, has shared its services, on the second Sunday of each month, with the Pentecostal Congregation - Word Alive Chapel, Boreham.

iSingPOP

Pupils at Chrishall Primary School Shine on Stage with iSingPOP

26 March 2026

Pupils at Chrishall Primary School enjoyed a visit from the iSingPOP team in December 2025.