St James Church has stood on the hill above the village of Smisby for more than 950 years. There are four churches in the Benefice we belong to – Melbourne, Smisby, Stanton by Bridge, and Ticknall.
The parish is currently in vacancy, though hoping to appoint a new Incumbent soon; but the ministry team of Clergy and Readers have maintained the pattern of regular worship in all the churches.
The Revd Rosemary Donovan will be collated as Vicar of the four churches in the Melbourne Benefice by the Bishop of Derby in Melbourne Parish Church at 3.00 pm on Saturday 4th October 2025. She will then take up her ministry in the Benefice
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David Edwards has resigned as Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) and the Revd Alan Winfield will deal with any safeguarding issues until a new PSO is elected. See details on the Safeguarding Page.
5th October 5.30 pm Holy Communion
12th October 5.30 pm Evensong
19th October 5.30 pm Evensong
26th October 5.30 pm Evensong
2nd November 5.50 pm Holy Communion
9th November 5.30 pm Service of Remembrance
16th November 5.30 pm Evensong
23rd November 5.30 pm Evensong
30th November 10.30 am Benefice Eucharist at Ticknall Parish Church
6.30 pm Advent Carol Service at Melbourne Parish Church
Thanks to more research by Garry Margerrison we now have finally identified the details for all of the fallen that we remember at Smisby. We now have not just their rank and service numbers but where they died and where they are buried including those from WW2 on who we previously had no information.