If you're new to St John's, whatever your reason for visiting, we are looking forward to welcoming you for the first time. This is your church here in Farsley and from the moment you arrive we want to make you feel welcome. There's no pressure and no obligations but we hope to see you soon. Here's everything you need to know before you visit.
You will find us on the main street in Farsley on the junction of New Street and Old Road. We are the big church building with the clock tower. The main front door is accessed through the gate from Old Road where there are a few steps up to the main entrance. There is also level access by going through the car park accessed from New Street and walking round from the back of church to the front.
We have three services every Sunday morning.
You can read more details about each of our Sunday services before deciding which one you would like to attend. We also have some weekday services which you are also welcome to join.
There is no dress code - come as you are!
You will see that some people enjoy dressing up smartly in their Sunday best. Other people prefer a casual T-shirt and jeans. If it's warm enough to wear shorts outside then you can wear those in church too. And if it's cold and you want to wrap up in a thick coat and scarf, that's fine as well.
Please wear whatever clothes make you feel most comfortable.
We have a small car park at the back of church, accessed through a gap in the wall on New Street. There is space for around 12 cars. If the car park is full there is often space to park on New Street which is up the side of church, or Old Road in front of the church.
We have step-free access to church. Enter through the gap in the wall behind the chuch on New Street, walk through the car park, around the back of the church to the main front door.
There is level access throughout the church with an internal ramp which allows wheelchairs access to the area at the front where the choir sits near the main altar.
You can read more about our accessibility information before you visit.
Yes! We would love to welcome you and your children to one of our church services. They are welcome at all our services.
The 9:30am service on Sundays is particularly designed with young children in mind. It includes time for crafts and children's songs and we stay and have toast and drinks together afterwards.
The 10:30am service on Sundays often includes a Sunday School where children can go out together and enjoy crafts and bible stories before returning at the end of the service.
If you do have children with you, please don't worry about them making noise. We know that children are rarely silent!
You can also read more about our safeguarding arrangements before joining us.
Church is usually open for around half an hour before each of our services starts. You are welcome to arrive whenever is convenient for you.
Arriving around 10 minutes before the service starts will give you plenty of time to come in, choose somewhere to sit and get ready for the service to start.
Don't worry if you are running late. It's also OK to come in as the service is starting, or mid way through the service. Come in and take a seat.
At many of our services there will be someone at the church door who will smile and say hello as you come in and invite you to take a seat.
There are no rules about where you can or can't sit. Choose a seat and make yourself comfortable. Lots of people sit nearer the back when they first join us but you will be able to see and hear what is happening better if you sit further forward.
It depends on the type of service exactly what happens but most of our services share similar items.
We usually listen to bible readings and say some prayers together. There is usually some times of quiet when you can gather your thoughts.
Often the vicar will spend a few minutes sharing some thoughts about today's bible readings and what they mean. This is called the sermon and is a good time to pause and reflect on what you have heard.
Some of our services include hymns or songs which we sing together. You'll have the words either on a service sheet or they will displayed on the projector at the front.
If it is a service of Holy Communion we say special prayers over the bread and wine as we remember Jesus' last supper with his friends and you are invited to the front to receive a small piece of bread and wine. If you prefer not to go to the front, that is fine too. You can just stay in your seat.
Whether we are using service booklets, or following the words on the projector at the front, if the text is in bold type it means we all sit together, but don't worry if you get it wrong.
There are also parts of the service we sometimes stand up together (usually to sing) and then all sit down again. If you are worried about doing the 'wrong' thing then just follow what the person nearest to you is going, but don't worry if you think you have stood up or sat down at the wrong time. It really doesn't matter!
Holy Communion is a type of church service. Some churches also call it a Eucharist or the Lord's Supper and it is the service which is at the centre of most Christian worship.
During the service we share together the bread and wine, remembering the last supper which Jesus shared with his friends. At that meal he shared bread and wine with them, knowing that he would soon die, and asked them to continue sharing similar meals with each other.
Sharing this meal together in church is our way of remembering Jesus' death and what it means for us.
You can read more about Holy Communion services and what they symbolise on the Church of England's website.
When we get to this part of the service you are welcome to come to the front of church to receive a small piece of bread and wine, or you can receive a blessing fro the vicar instead. And if you would prefer to stay in your seat you will not be the only person to do so!
Church is free to attend. There is no requirement to pay any money to join one of our services.
When you come into church you will see there is a collection plate and card machine on a table at the back. The plate stays at the back of church and is not passed around during the service.
If you would like to make a donation then it will be gratefully received and will support the work of St John's in Farsley, but there is no expectation that you make a donation.
Lots of people walk past the plate without putting anything in it. Some of them make donations in different ways and some don't make any donations.
You can read more about ways to donate to St John's if you would like to support the church financially.
Yes! Church is open for visits most days. You don't have to wait for a church service to be taking place.
Our main front door is usually unlocked on weekdays from 10am and until teatime (or dusk in the winter).
You can visit to look around the building, stay and enjoy the peace and quiet for as long as you like. You don't need to tell us you're coming in advance. Just pop in.
When the service ends you it is fine if you just want to get up and leave straight away.
However, lots of us often stay for a few minutes after the service and chat together. There is usually tea, coffee and biscuits served after our 10:30am service so you are welcome to stay.
If you would like to say hello to the vicar, or anyone else in the congregation afterwards, please do. It's fine to just go up to someone and say "Hi ... this is my first time here."
At the back of church you will find some "Hello..." cards. If you fill in your details we can stay in touch and there's a tear-off slip with details about our church services which you can take away.
You might have some questions before you come to church and we hope this page will help you plan your first visit. If you have any more questions please drop us a quick message and we will get back to you!