About Our Church
St Mary Magdalen Church History
The parish of St Mary Magdalen is on the western edge of Reading but spreads across the boundary between Reading and West Berkshire councils with roughly a quarter lying within West Berkshire. It consists of mixed housing stock with older housing to the eastern side and newer housing in the west. We have three small local shopping areas, a large Waitrose supermarket and a small light industrial area. There are four primary schools and an early-years centre within the parish. The parish has a sports centre and some attractive and well used open spaces with children’s play areas.
The parish consists largely of middle-income households. There is a small area of greater income deprivation, comprising approximately 20% of the overall parish. The age profile for the parish is broadly in line with the average for England and Wales.
As with many such areas there is a level of loneliness amongst older residents.
Keeping
the Faith
Our faith in Jesus Christ is the core of who we are. Sharing this faith is the core of what the church is for. So, we need to be growing in our own faith, and finding ways we can share our faith with others.
Mission Action Plan
Following a consultation exercise with the wider congregation. The PCC has published our plans for the next few years. You are welcome to download it here and take a look.
Spiritual
Community
As well as caring for each other, we feel we should reach out to the wider community to show God’s care and compassion outside the immediate church family.
Because we are not a large congregation we work in partnership with existing groups outside the church, building on our existing connections.