Who We Are

St Paul’s is a thriving parish church in the inclusive catholic tradition of the Church of England, set in the heart of Bedford town centre.

St Paul’s Church, Bedford plays a threefold role within the community: as the Civic and County Church of Bedfordshire; as a centre of worship and prayer for a widely dispersed congregation; and as a focus of ministry to those visiting Bedford town centre and those living in its own parish, which is one of the most deprived within the Diocese.

We are part of the Church of England in the Diocese of St Albans.

More about us

St Paul's is an Inclusive Church:

We are a church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate. We will continue to challenge the church where it discriminates against people on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality. We believe in a Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.

St Paul's is a Major Church:

St Paul's is recognised by the Church of England as a Major Parish Church: that is a church of exceptional size and architectural and historical significance, open to visitors regularly and having a role beyond those of a typical parish church, and making a considerable civic, cultural, and economic contribution to our community.