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Who we are - Meet The Team at St. Mary's 

Our roots are ancient, but our outlook is modern. We are a Christian community seeking to live out our faith in service to the three village communities which make up our parish.

We are a diverse group of people from many different walks of life, backgrounds and cultures. We enjoy gathering for worship and journeying together in our discipleship. We seek to be a place of welcome to all who come to us, whether you are a regular churchgoer or an occasional visitor.

We meet up afterwards in our Heraldic Suite in church for refreshments and a chat.

Reverend Alistair Ward looks forward to meeting you

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Our Priest in Charge 

Reverend Alistair Ward

Alistair was born in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. In his early career he lived in London and worked in various roles for what is now Travis Perkins Builders’ Merchants, latterly managing the North London Sales team.

At this time, after some time exploring the claims of Jesus, Alistair committed his life to Christ at a Luis Palau outreach event and has been a follower of Jesus ever since. His Church encouraged him to volunteer at the Good Shepherd Mission, a youth mission, in the East End of London where he later helped it become a church.  It was at this time that he met his wife Erica, a physiotherapist, and they married in May 1988.

In 1996 they relocated to Lincoln, which is Erica’s hometown. The family attended St Peter in Eastgate Church where he has served in many areas including Children’s ministry, running a home group and establishing a Men’s Ministry. He also served as churchwarden and parish representative during its vacancy. However, his heart’s desire is for others to know the love of God in Christ Jesus and to follow him.

Alistair was called to Ordained ministry in 2016, and he trained at Ridley Hall in Cambridge, attending as a weekly commuter. He served his curacy at his home church of St Peter’s where he has enjoyed learning to preach, encouraging others in outreach, supporting pastoral care and overseeing home groups.

Outside of church-life Alistair has loved being involved with the local infant school and serving as trustee of the Joy Foundation, a Lincoln organisation dedicated to bringing the gospel into schools through collective worship. Alistair and Erica love opening their home and giving hospitality to others. His favourite pastimes include walking his dog, Billie, spending time with his friends and family and baking Ciabatta.

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St. Mary's Parochial Church Council ("PCC")

The PCC has the responsibility for promoting in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Whalplode the whole mission of the church: i.e spiritual, pastoral, social and ecumenical, using the Parish Mission Statement as a platform, as well as maintenance responsibilities for the Church and churchyard.

Unfortunately, we do not have a Churchwarden, at present. However, there are currently seven members of the PCC assisting Alistair in his mission, who, together with the the various members of the Sub-Committees reporting to the PCC; i.e Fabric, Events, etc, meet on a regular basis to share the responsibilities of administration and leadership to ensure that St. Mary's continues to retain its important role in the life of the village of Whaplode, in keeping with its immense 900 year heritage.

Our Principal Contact Details:

Priest in Charge:

Revd. Alistair Ward- elloestone@gmail.com

PCC Committee:

Secretary:

Rosie Barlow - rosie@fdring.co.uk

Treasurer:

Elaine Gregory - elaine.gregory54@btinternet.com

Fabric / Grounds:

Roy Willingham - rs.aw42@btinternet.com

Ian Bollons - ianbollons@btinternet.com

General Queries - fabric.stmaryswhaplode@btinternet.com

Safeguarding/Pastoral:

Mairead Smith - mairead@hotmail.com

​Gavin Smith - gavinsmith1971@hotmail.com

​Revd. Barbara Hutchinson - revbarbarah@btinternet.com

​St. Mary's Church

Kirk Gate,

Whaplode.

Spalding.

Lincolnshire. PE12. 6TA.

The Elloe Stone Parishes Benefice embraces:
St. Mary's Church,  Whaplode
All Saints' Church, Moulton
St. James' Moulton Chapel
St. John's Holbeach Fen

© 2025 Elloe Stone Parishes Benefice

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