Places of worship in Malvern, Worcestershire facts for kids

Malvern, a town in Worcestershire, England, has many different places where people go to worship. These include churches for various Christian groups and other faith centers. There are 31 Christian churches in Malvern. Eleven of these belong to the Church of England, two are Roman Catholic, one is Evangelical, and the rest are from other Christian groups.

The oldest place of worship is Great Malvern Priory. It's a very large church, almost like a cathedral, and it's all that's left of a monastery built way back in 1085. The Malvern Hills are steep, which made it tricky for church builders. They usually like to have the main altar (chancel) at the east end of the building. Many churches were built in the 1800s when Malvern became popular as a spa town. Some newer churches, like St Mary's in Sherrard's Green, were built in the 1900s. Others, like St Andrew's in Poolbrook, have had modern additions in recent years.

As of 2025, Malvern itself doesn't have places of worship for all faiths. For example, the closest synagogues are in Birmingham. There are two mosques in Worcester for the Muslim community. The nearest Sikh gurdwaras are in Birmingham, Smethwick, and Leamington. Hindu temples and other faith centers are mostly found in the larger cities nearby, like Birmingham.

This article lists the places of worship in alphabetical order by their faith or group. Some names are links to their full Wikipedia pages if you want to learn more!

Church of England

All Saints Church

All Saints Church in Malvern Wells

• Style of worship: Open evangelical (meaning it's welcoming and focuses on the Bible).
• Location: Wells Road, The Wyche, Malvern Wells.
• Built: 1903.
• Architecture: Designed in a 13th-century style using local Malvern stone. It has a round chancel (the area around the altar) which shows how architects dealt with building on the steep Malvern Hills.
• Organ: By Nicholsons.
• Bells: One bell in a small tower.
• Parish: Malvern Wells and Wyche, part of the Chase Team Ministry.
• Incumbent: Rev. Emily Spencer (Vicar) and Rev. Dave Bruce (Team Rector).
• Website: All Saints, Malvern Wells

Christ Church

South door, Christ Church

• Style of worship: Standard Church of England services, described as 'relaxed and informal'.
• Location: Avenue Road, Great Malvern, close to Great Malvern station.
• Built: 1875. It's a Grade II listed building, meaning it's an important historic building.
• Architecture: Designed by T D Barry & Sons of Liverpool. It's based on 14th-century Gothic style and has a tall 55-meter spire.
• Organ: A large organ with 1,486 pipes, built by Nicholsons of Malvern in 1884.
• Bells: Two bells in the tower, cast in 1875.
• Graveyard: The church doesn't have its own graveyard. Burials happen at the Great Malvern cemetery.
• Incumbent: Services are led by retired clergy and others.
• Website: Christ Church, Malvern

Church of the Ascension

Church of the Ascension

• Style of worship: A modern Catholic style of worship within the Church of England, focusing on being inclusive and liberal.
• Location: Somers Park Avenue, Link Top.
• Parish: Malvern Link with Cowleigh. It's one of three churches in this parish.
• Built: 1903. It's a Grade II listed building.
• Architecture: Designed by Sir Walter Tapper in an Early English Gothic style, using Cotswold stone. It's known for its great acoustics, making it a popular place for choirs.
• Bells: None. The original two bells were sold in the 1960s.
• Graveyard: No consecrated cemetery.
• Incumbent: Rev. Phillip Johnson (Vicar) and Rev. James Williams (Priest-in-Charge).
• Parish website: Malvern Link with Cowleigh

Great Malvern Priory, Church of St Mary & St Michael

Great Malvern Priory

• Style of worship: Anglican, including Holy Communion.
• Location: Church Street, Great Malvern.
• Built: Started in 1085.
• Architecture: Features Norman and Perpendicular Gothic styles. It's a Grade 1 listed building and one of the largest parish churches in England that isn't a cathedral. It has beautiful 15th-century stained glass windows.
• Organ: Built in 1875 by Nicholsons. It's a Certified Historic Organ.
• Bells: 10 bells, with the oldest dating back to around 1380.
• Notable people in cemetery: Anne Darwin, daughter of the famous scientist Charles Darwin.
• Parish: Great Malvern.
• Incumbent: Rev. Roger Latham (Vicar).
• Website: Great Malvern Priory

Holy Trinity Church

Holy Trinity Church

• Location: Link Top, North Malvern.
• Built: 1850-51. It started as a smaller chapel for Malvern Priory and became its own parish in 1869. It has been expanded several times. It's a Grade II Listed building.
• Architecture: Designed by Samuel Daukes, with influences from the Oxford Movement (a religious movement in the Church of England).
• Bells: 2 bells.
• Organ: The current organ is a modern digital church organ installed in 2018.
• Incumbent: Rev Rebecca Elliott (Vicar).
• Website: holytrinitymalvern.

St Andrew's Church

St Andrew's, Poolbrook

• Style of worship: Open evangelical.
• Location: Poolbrook.
• Built: 1882, in memory of a member of the Chance Brothers glassware family.
• Architecture: Designed by G. Lewis Sheppard in a 13th-century style.
• Bells: 1 bell.
• Incumbent: Rev. Emily Spencer (Vicar), part of the Malvern Chase Team Ministry.
• Websites: Chase Team

St Giles Church (Little Malvern Priory)

Little Malvern Priory Church.

• Style of worship: Holy Communion every Sunday, using modern Church of England services.
• Location: Little Malvern.
• Built: 1125. It was once part of a Benedictine Priory.
• Architecture: Features parts from the 14th and 15th centuries, and some older Norman remains. It's a Grade I listed building.
• Bells: 1 bell from around 1354.
• Organ: Built in 1882 and refurbished in 2018–19.
• Windows: Beautiful stained glass windows from 1480.
• Incumbent: Revd. Stephen Sealy.
• Website: Little Malvern Priory

St James's Church

St. James Church, West Malvern

• Style of worship: Traditional Holy Communion with hymns.
• Location: West Malvern.
• Built: 1885. It's a Grade II listed building.
• Architecture: Designed in a 13th-century style, using local Malvern stone.
• Bells: 1 bell.
• Notable people in cemetery: Peter Mark Roget (died 1869), who created Roget's Thesaurus.
• Incumbent: The Revd Rebecca Elliott (Vicar).
• Website: A Church Near You, St James

St Leonard's Church

St Leonard's Newland

• Style of worship: High Church (Anglo-Catholic), meaning it has more traditional ceremonies and worship.
• Location: Newland.
• Built: 1862. It's a Grade I listed building.
• Architecture: Designed in a 14th-century style.
• Parish: It used to be a parish church but became the private chapel of the Beauchamp Community in 1998. It is open to everyone.
• Incumbent: Rev. Angie Watts (Chaplain).
• Website: beauchampstleonard

St Mary's Church, Pickersleigh

• Location: Sherrards Green Road, Malvern.
• Built: 1958. It was originally built as a smaller chapel for Christ Church to serve the many council housing estates in the area.
• Architecture: Mid-20th century style.
• Bells: None.
• Graveyard: No cemetery.
• Incumbent: Rev. Emily Spencer (Vicar) and Rev. Dave Bruce (Rector), part of the Malvern Chase Team Ministry.
• Website: St Mary's Church, Pickersleigh

St Mary's Church, Guarlford

St. Mary's Guarlford

• Location: Guarlford Road, Guarlford.
• Style of worship: Uses both traditional and modern Church of England services.
• Built: 1844. It's a Grade II listed building.
• Architecture: Designed by Thomas Bellamy of London.
• Bells: None.
• Incumbent: The Rev. Gary Crellin (Rector).
• Websites: Guarlford parish

St Mary the Virgin Church, Madresfield

St. Mary's, Madresfield

• Location: Madresfield.
• Style of worship: Uses both traditional and modern Church of England services.
• Built: 1867. It's a Grade II listed building.
• Architecture: Designed by Frederick Preedy in a 14th-century style, with stained glass windows.
• Bells: A set of 6 bells.
• Incumbent: The Rev. Gary Crellin (Rector).
• Websites: Guarlford parish

St Matthias' Church

St. Mathias, Malvern Link

• Style of worship: A modern Catholic style of worship within the Church of England, focusing on being inclusive and liberal.
• Location: Church Road, Malvern Link.
• Built: 1844. The tower was added later in 1898–99. It's a Grade II Listed building.
• Architecture: Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott.
• Bells: 10 bells. The first full peal (a specific way of ringing all the bells) was rung on June 1, 1901.
• Incumbents: Rev. James Williams (Curate-in-Charge) and Rev. Dr Alastair McKay (Associate Priest).
• Website: St Mathias' Church

St Peter's Church, Cowleigh

StPeters, Cowleigh

• Style of worship: A modern Catholic style of worship within the Church of England, focusing on being inclusive and liberal.
• Location: Cowleigh Bank, North Malvern.
• Built: 1865. It's a Grade II listed building.
• Architecture: Designed by George Edmund Street in the High Church Anglican tradition, using local stone and stained glass windows.
• Incumbents: Rev. James Williams (Curate-in-Charge) and Rev. Dr Alastair McKay (Associate Priest).
• Parish website: Malvern Link with Cowleigh

Protestant and Other Christian Groups

Baptist

Malvern Baptist Church

Malvern Baptist Church

• Style of worship: Baptist.
• Location: Abbey Road, Great Malvern.
• Built: 1894.
• Architecture: A traditional church building in a Victorian Gothic style.
• Bells: None.
• Graveyard: No consecrated churchyard.
• Incumbent: Rev Dave Clarke (Minister).
• Website: Malvern Baptist Church

United Reformed Church

Malvern Link United Reformed Church

United Reform Church, Malvern Link

• Location: Worcester Road, Malvern Link.
• Founded: 1903.
• Minister: Reverend Ken Martin.
• Website: URC in Malvern Link

Holly Mount United Reformed Church

Former Holly Mount URC, Queen's Drive, Great Malvern

• Founded: 1876.
• Note: The congregation moved in 2019 to hold Sunday services at The Cube, a community center. The former church building is planned to be converted into homes.

Methodist

Landsdowne Crescent Methodist Church

Landsdown Methodist Church, Great Malvern

• Style of worship: Methodist.
• Location: Landsdown Crescent, Great Malvern.
• Built: 1866.
• Architecture: Gothic Revival style.
• Incumbent: Rev Nigel Coke-Woods (Minister).
• Website: Lansdown Methodist Church

Somers Park Avenue Methodist Church

Somers Park Avenue Methodist Church

• Style of worship: Methodist.
• Location: Malvern Link.
• Built: The current building was constructed in 1936 and expanded in 1960–61.
• Architecture: Modern 20th-century style.
• Organ: An electronic organ was installed in 1986.
• Incumbent: Rev. Nigel Coke-Woods (Minister).
• Website: Somers Park Methodist Church

Evangelical

Malvern Evangelical Church

Malvern Evangelical Church (MEC), Malvern

• Style of worship: Evangelical, with meetings every Sunday.
• Location: 204-208 Pickersleigh Road, Malvern.
• Founded: 1969.
• Built: The current building was constructed in 2015.
• Architecture: Modern 21st-century style.
• Incumbent: Roy Bourner (Pastor).
• Website: Malvern Evangelical Church

Non-aligned

Eden Church

• Style of worship: Sunday family gatherings with praise, live music, and guest speakers.
• Leader: Mike Dibbens.
• Location: Eden Centre, Grovewood Road, Malvern (since 2015).
• Building: A repurposed modern commercial building.
• Website: Eden Church

Catholic Church

St Joseph's Church

St Joseph's Church

• Style of worship: Roman Catholic Mass.
• Location: 1245 Newtown Road, Link Top, Malvern.
• Built: 1876. It was expanded in 1997.
• Incumbent: Fr Naz Mgungwe (Parish Priest).
• Website: St Joseph's, Malvern

St Wulstan's Roman Catholic Church

St.Wulstan's church

• Style of worship: Mass, Adoration, and Benedictine services with Gregorian Chant (a type of ancient church music).
• Location: Wells Rd, Little Malvern.
• Built: 1862. It had a major restoration in 2003/4.
• Architecture: Designed in a 13th-century French Gothic style.
• Organ: Brought to the church around 1870 and refurbished several times.
• Notable people in cemetery: Sir Edward Elgar, a famous English composer, and Dorothy Howell, another English composer.
• Incumbent: Fr. Thomas Regan OSB (Parish Priest).
• Website: St Wulstan's Church in Little Malvern

Christadelphian

Christadelphian Hall

Christadelphian Hall, Malvern

• Style of worship: Christadelphianism, which focuses on the Bible.
• Location: 21 Abbey Road, Great Malvern.
• Incumbent: Christadelphians do not have permanently appointed preachers.
• Website: Malvern Christadelphians

Interdenominational

Wyche Free Church

• Style of worship: An independent evangelical church.
• Location: Jubilee Drive, Upper Colwall, Malvern.
• Founded: Around 1850.
• Built: The current church was built in 1910.
• Architecture: Designed by Harold Seymour Scott and opened in 1911.
• Graveyard: No consecrated churchyard.
• Leaders: Peter Goodbury and Rev John Grindell (Elders). They have experienced visiting preachers.
• Website: Wyche Free Church

Non-Denominational

Christian Science

The Great Malvern Christian Science Society

• Location: Poolbrook Village Hall, Poolbrook Road, Malvern.

Jehovah's Witnesses

Kingdom Hall

• Location: 1 Orford Way, Malvern.

Quakers

Friends Meeting House

Friends Meeting House, Malvern

• Style of worship: No programmed services, but Sunday meetings for worship.
• Location: 1 Orchard Road, Malvern.
• Built: 1938.
• Architecture: Designed by JR Armstrong, one of the architects from Bournville Village.
• Leaders: Elizabeth & Kevin Rolph and Melanie Jameson (Clerking Team); Paul Wyatt, Judith Badman, Jill Etheridge, Richard Bartholomew (Elders).
• Website: Malvern Quakers

The Salvation Army

• Style of worship: Christian, with various services.
• Location: 62 Newtown Road, Link Top, Malvern.
• Current Lieutenant: Claire Mynott.
• Website: Salvation Army Malvern

Buddhist Temple

Bright Earth Temple

• Location: 34 Worcester Road, Great Malvern.
• Built: In the 1820s as a guest house, acquired by Amida Trust in 2014.
• Style of worship: Mahayana Buddhism, focusing on Pureland Buddhism.
• Leaders: Kaspa and Satya.
• Website: Bright Earth