If you’re considering getting married, firstly our congratulations on taking this step.  Secondly, if you are considering marrying in any of the four Church of England churches in Hitchin (St Faith’s, Holy Saviour, St Mark’s, or St Mary’s) you might find the following information useful.

In October 2008 the rules on who could get married in a particular church were relaxed, but a couple, or one part of a couple, still has to demonstrate what is known as a ‘Qualifying Connection’ to a particular church in order to be married there.

If you currently live within Hitchin you can get married in any of the four churches mentioned above.

If you attend any of the four churches mentioned above on a regular basis, but live outside Hitchin, you may also qualify to get married in any of the four churches.

If neither of the above apply to you, you will have to demonstrate a Qualifying Connection with the parish.  A person has a Qualifying Connection with a parish if:

That person:

• was baptised in the parish.  (This does not apply where the baptism formed part of a combined service of baptism or confirmation); or
• had his or her confirmation entered in a church register book of a church or chapel in the parish; or
• has at any time had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months; or
• has at any time habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;

or a Parent of that person has at any time during that person’s lifetime:

• had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months; or
• habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;

or a Parent or Grandparent of that person was married in the parish.

The whole of Hitchin is one ‘parish’, with four churches within it.  Therefore, if you are able to demonstrate a Qualifying Connection with any of the four churches above you would be able to marry in any of the four churches e.g. if you were baptised in St Mark’s, you could choose to get married at St Mary’s.

If either yourself or your partner have been married before and the marriage ended in divorce, we may well offer to marry you in church under certain circumstances.  To find out more about this please contact one of the Team Vicars via the Parish Office (see below for details).

If you would like to make an enquiry about getting married in St Faith’s, Holy Saviour, St Mark’s or St Mary’s, in the first instance please contact the Parish Office (tel: 01462 452758, email: administrator@hitchinparishoffice.fsnet.co.uk).  You will then be directed to an appropriate member of the clergy who will meet with you and discuss your wedding plans and any questions you may have.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about whether you would have a Qualifying Connection or any other questions about getting married in church.