St Mary-le-Tower Church
IP1 3BE Tower St Ipswich
St Mary le Tower has been at the heart of Ipswich for more than a thousand years,
and since the year 1200 has been its Civic Church. It holds a special place in the
history of the town, and I believe, in its future. Though financial challenges,
worsened by the COVID pandemic, cannot be denied, since my arrival in late 2021
I have been enthralled by the enormous potential of this community and place.
Harnessing this, and nurturing treasures such as our choral tradition, I am
convinced that the Tower, with its mission to love and serve God, will play a
central role in the flourishing of the town as a whole.
It is into this context that I am delighted to present our vision and strategic plan
for the next five years. Emerging out of a period of prayer, listening, and
consultation, it sets out a series of aims that will guide our mission. It is rooted in
the Christian values that have shaped us for more than a millennia, but is also a
vision of a renewed church, inspired to share God’s love through welcome,
worship, faith, and action, all in a sustainable way. Formed by our particular
vocation as a town and Civic Church, as well as a Major Church in Suffolk and
England, we aspire to lead in, resource, and inspire the renewal of Christian life
not just in our parish, but throughout Ipswich, east Suffolk, and beyond.
Ultimately, we have a dream, to be a place where people are able to experience
the warmth and love of God, and in doing so discover what it means to truly
flourish, to become who God calls them to be.