Welcome
We’re a growing Christian presence in this new town, rooted in prayer, creativity, and community. We’re here for the everyday and the extraordinary — creating spaces where all ages can explore faith, ask big questions, and find connection.
Three worshipping communities...
Bringing together those of all ages and stages of life for interactive Sunday worship and through-the-week links with the primary school. Read more...
Breakfast, storytelling, singing, and multisensory worship for babies, pre-schoolers, and their parents or carers. Read more...
Weekly gatherings to share in silence and reflection, alternating between the poetry of Compline (“Night Prayer”) and book discussions, as well as regular communion meals. Read more...
...praying, exploring, and sharing together with those around us.
The Northstowe Church Network is made up of flexible, local worshipping communities — connected to national denominations, shaped by the people of Northstowe, and growing with the town. Those of us gathering as part of our various new communities in the Northstowe Church Network come from all Christian traditions as well as those new to Christianity: together we are pilgrims on a journey, asking questions and exploring the connections we find between everyday life and our spirituality and faith. What unites us is much stronger than our denominational backgrounds: it is a rooted, growing, and transforming faith based on an encounter with the ancient and eternal God who still changes lives today. Our vision is to be people who are praying, exploring and sharing
Plans are also taking shape for the Northstowe Lakeside Centre — a community building for the whole town, with a dedicated sacred space at its heart.
Northstowe Church Network welcomes decision on first Faith and Community Land site
We are delighted that South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet has agreed to progress the award of a 999-year lease to Northstowe Church Network for the first of Northstowe’s Faith and Community Land sites. This is a major step towards the Chapel by the Lake and a new lakeside faith and community hub: a place of prayer, hospitality, reflection, youth work, wellbeing, interfaith friendship, and shared community life. The full building project will take time and will be funded through charitable fundraising, grants, partner contributions, room hire and long-term planning, but we hope the first signs of life on the site can begin much sooner. We are extremely grateful to all who have helped shape this vision with us, and we look forward to continuing to work with neighbours, partners and local faith communities for the flourishing of Northstowe.
Church office:
Church House, 6 Woodpecker Close
Northstowe
CB24 1AW
01954 261181
hello@northstowe.church
Support us
Read our eNews
Every month we send a general eNews, with news from across the Northstowe Church Network.As we grow, we're hoping to start to tailor these updates, so that you get the news that really matters to you. So, for example, if you are primarily part of the Little Explorers community, you might also/only want to get focused Little Explorers updates - please check the relevant boxes Equally, if you are following our eNews as a prayer-supporter or friend from a partnership organization, let us know, and we'll send you occasional messages with our Big News.
Community Partnerships
As a church, we are committed to praying, exploring and sharing — and that means working with others to help Northstowe flourish.
We partner with local groups, schools, charities and faith communities to build connection and support community life for people of all religious and non-religious beliefs. You’ll find us involved with Northstowe Arts, Northstowe Running Festival, Northstowe Town Council, Sustainable Northstowe, Cambridge City Foodbank, Northstowe Youth Hive, Friends of Pathfinder Primary School, Northstowe Chorus, local brass musicians, uniformed organisations, youth organisations, Northstowe Muslims, and wider community partnerships for events such as Christmas, Remembrance, Midsummer and litter picks.
We are also part of the Northstowe Faith Strategy Group, helping to build friendship and cooperation between different faith communities as Northstowe grows. We particularly value our growing friendship with Northstowe Muslims, including shared hospitality, community events and conversations about how the future Northstowe Lakes Centre can serve the wider community.
Alongside our own church activities, we regularly support community events, school partnerships, youth work, food support, civic acts of remembrance, seasonal celebrations and opportunities for people to gather, reflect, serve and belong.
Remembrance and community celebrations
Each year we work with Northstowe Town Council, faith communities, youth and uniformed organisations, and local community groups to mark Remembrance in a way that brings the town together.
We also love partnering with local musicians and singers for seasonal celebrations, including Hot Chocolate, Beer and Carols with Northstowe Chorus and a local brass band.
Save the dates:
Remembrance Sunday — Sunday 8 November: read more...
Hot Chocolate, Beer and Carols — Friday 18 December read more...
Community litter picks and Plastic Free tips
We love joining with others to care for Northstowe’s shared spaces and reduce single-use plastic. Thank you to everyone who has taken part in previous community litter picks alongside Northstowe Scouting, Sustainable Northstowe, Plastic Free Northstowe and Northstowe Hub Café.
Here are some snaps from the last event: chck back for future plans soon!
Need food support or want to help?
Anyone can face a crisis. There is no shame in asking for help.
Northstowe Church Network is a referral partner for Cambridge City Foodbank, and Revd Beth is a registered Foodbank voucher distributor. If you are struggling to afford food, please contact the church office and we can help you request a voucher.
The voucher process is there to make sure you receive the right support. A voucher distributor will first have a conversation with you about your situation, so they can understand what has led to the crisis and help work out what additional support you might need alongside emergency food. This might include signposting to advice, practical help, or other local support.
The Foodbank team then uses the voucher to prepare an emergency food parcel that is right for your household. Parcels usually contain three days’ worth of nutritionally balanced emergency food for everyone in your household, and the team can also take account of specific needs where possible.
Please contact the church office during office hours, preferably the day before you need to collect a parcel. Revd Beth is often engaged in ministry work on Wednesday mornings, so advance notice gives us the best chance of arranging your voucher in time for the Northstowe collection.
Food parcels can usually be collected from the Cambridge City Foodbank Welcome Centre at The Cabin in Northstowe on Wednesday afternoons. If Wednesday afternoon in Northstowe does not work for you, Cambridge City Foodbank also has other Welcome Centres in and around Cambridge on other days.
Email: hello@northstowe.church
Phone: 01954 261 181
If you would like to help...
If you would like to help, Cambridge City Foodbank welcomes donations of food, money and volunteer time. Financial donations help the Foodbank provide fresh items, fill gaps in food donations, support its volunteer operation, and keep emergency food and Fairbite Food Clubs running. Food donations can also be made through local supermarket collection points and other donation routes.
For the most up-to-date details, including how to get emergency food, where to find a Foodbank Welcome Centre, and how to donate or volunteer, visit the Cambridge City Foodbank website.
Supporting young people: Northstowe Youth Hive
We are proud to be a member organisation of Northstowe Youth Hive, a local charity bringing together young people of all genders, backgrounds, faiths, cultures and sexualities to have fun, grow together and make a difference in Northstowe.
The Youth Hive supports youth provision across the town by working in partnership with local young people, volunteers, schools, community groups and youth-work organisations. Its work includes open youth activities, creative projects, youth voice, volunteering, and helping young people shape the places and community they are growing up in.
Northstowe Church Network helped set up the Youth Hive, and Revd Beth is currently Chair of Trustees. We continue to support its work as part of our commitment to the wellbeing, inclusion and flourishing of young people in Northstowe.
Visit the Northstowe Youth Hive website youthhive.co.uk
Free Wednesday youth drop-ins with Romsey Mill
Romsey Mill, one of Northstowe Youth Hive’s key partners, runs two free open-access youth drop-in sessions on Wednesdays.
These are relaxed, welcoming spaces where young people can hang out, meet friends, take part in activities, learn new skills, and chat with trusted youth workers.
Wednesdays at The Cabin / Northstowe Hub
Years 6–8: 4.00–5.30pm
Year 9+: 6.00–7.30pm
The sessions are free and open to young people in Northstowe. No booking is usually needed — just come along and be signed in by the youth work team.
Helping people register to vote
Northstowe Church Network is part of the national Voter Registration Champion scheme, helping people in our growing town take part in civic life.
Registering to vote means you can vote in elections and referendums, and it also helps keep your details up to date when you move house or change your name. As Northstowe continues to grow, we want to help make sure local people know how to register, where to find trusted information, and what support is available if voting feels confusing or inaccessible.
You can register to vote online through GOV.UK.
Link button text: Register to vote
Recent News updates
Read about our Silver Eco Award, our Honest Church evaluation (including offering Prayers of Love and Faith), membership of Inclusive Church (and a particular current focus on neurodiversity), our All Saints Celebrations and a recent interfaith visit to the Cambridge Mosque
Pathfinder Church recently shared in a joyful and historic moment as The Pathfinder School welcomed the new Bishop of Ely!
As the school gathered for Collective Worship, confirmation came from Downing Street that His Majesty the King had approved the nomination of the Right Reverend Sarah Clark for election as Bishop of Ely. Moments later, Bishop Sarah joined us in the hall.
We were immensely proud of the children, especially Worship Gang, who led worship with confidence. A highlight was singing This Little Light of Mine using a recording made last summer with the Cambourne Community Gospel Choir.
Afterwards, Pathfinder Church hosted a reception with Bishop Sarah and Bishop Dagmar. Bishop Sarah’s decision to begin her ministry here affirms the importance of new housing communities and innovative, locally rooted pioneer mission.
read more...
[photo credit Diocese of Ely]
What to expect
We're not following a blue print for "how to plant a church". We're pioneering... praying, exploring, and sharing together as we respond to what God's doing in this place. You'll often find us joining in with Community Partnerships amongst those of all religious and non-religious beliefs. And our faith-based through-the-week events are emerging in response to the gifts each person brings, with deep roots into the various Christian traditions. So come as you are, walk with us for a while... experience church - but perhaps not as you know it!
We don't yet have a "church building" here in Northstowe, so our events take place in the everyday places we find ourselves. Some are in people's homes. Others are in hired community spaces, often The Pathfinder CofE Primary School. Some things happen in the park! Read more below.
Special Events
Regular Term Time gatherings
click on the images to go to the page on this websiteWe're growing new missional and worshiping communities to shape the context of our growing new town.
Read all about Little Explorers, Pathfinder Church, and the Compline Community...
But we're also much more than the sum of our parts! We're an ecumenical network bringing together the rich traditions of the Church of England, United Reformed Church and the Baptist Union of Great Britain. And, as an network, we love to meet throughout the week, praying, exploring, and praying. As well as coming together for special events like out Afternoon Teas.
Church - but perhaps not as you know it!
Catholic Mass: The closest Catholic Church to Northstowe is St Laurence's, Milton Road, Cambridge, offering 4 Sunday Masses. See the St Laurence's website for more information and read this week's newsletter for the latest. Mass is also said at the Church Centre, Bar Hill, at 6pm on a Saturday, For details, see here.
Safeguarding: so all can flourish
The Northstowe Church Network is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Safeguarding Officer. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services...[continue reading]
