Among the places of worship in the town and area of Malvern, Worcestershire are centres of dedication to many faiths and denominations. The town has 31 Christian churches with 11 belonging to the Church of England, ranging from low church to high Anglo-Catholic, two Roman Catholic, one Evangelical, and the others being Non-Conformist and other faiths. Its oldest place of worship is the almost cathedral sized parish church of Great Malvern Priory which is all that remains of the former 10th century abbey in central Malvern, which according to the Worcester Monastic Annals, work began in 1085.[1] The chain of Malvern Hills lies in a north-south direction, thus posing a challenge for the architects of Christian churches located on the steep slopes, chancels being traditionally sited at the east end of the building. Many churches were built in the 19th century concomitant with the rapid expansion of the town due to its popularity as a spa. A few modern buildings such as St Mary's Church (1960) in Sherrard's Green, have been constructed in the second half of the 20th century, and some churches, notably St Andrews in Poolbrook, have had important modern extensions added during the first decade of the 21st century.
As of 2022 there are no facilities for other faiths in Malvern. A synagogue in Worcester was created by Ashkenazi Orthodox evacuees from Birmingham during World War II. However, by 1973 the community had become so small it was not possible obtain a minyan and the remaining members voted the community out of existence. The nearest synagogues are the four in Birmingham.[2] The small Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community serves Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire holding services in various locations throughout the counties.[3] [4] There are two established mosques in Worcester serving the Muslim community. The nearest Sikh gurdwaras are located in Birmingham, Smethwick, and Leamington. Hindu temples for the region and the nearest venues for other faiths are mainly in the Birmingham - Black Country - Coventry area.[5]
All institutions are listed in alphabetical order by faith, denomination and facility. Some link to their more complete Wikipedia pages.
- ^ Wells, Katherine (2009) Tour of Great Malvern Priory p.2., Friends of Great Malvern Priory ISBN 0951029444
- ^ "Worcester Hebrew Congregation & Jewish Community". JCR-UK. JCR-UK. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "Worcester Hebrew Congregation & Jewish Community". JCR-UK. JCR-UK. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "Welcome to the Birmingham & West Midlands Jewish Community". Jewish Representative Council of Birmingham & West Midlands Jewry. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "Places of Worship in and around Worcestershire 2017-18" (PDF). worcestershire.moderngov.co.uk/. 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2022.