Our Story

When I was appointed Vicar in December 2020, during the challenges of lockdown, God placed before us a vision of hope and renewal. By His grace, our two parishes—St Mark and St Stephen—were brought together as one, and in September 2022 a new parish family was born here in Bush Hill Park. Like the psalmist we can say: “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23). We rejoice in this fresh chapter of our life together and give glory to God for His faithfulness.

Our new parish brings together two communities with different contexts: St Mark, rooted in an area of deprivation, and St Stephen, located in a relatively affluent part of the parish. The Bush Hill Park Railway Station lies between them, yet in Christ the barriers are broken down. Here, those who have more are learning from those who have less, and those who have less are blessing those who have more. We are discovering together what it means to be one body in Christ, living out Paul’s words: “The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (1 Corinthians 12:22).

Our vision is simple yet profound: to be a thriving, vibrant hub where everyone can belong, encounter Jesus, and be empowered to grow in faith and serve others. We long to be a church where Christ is at the centre and His love is shared freely through worship, service, and action. As the apostle Paul reminds us, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7). It is our prayer that anyone who walks through our doors will experience that same welcome and belonging.

Together, as a parish, we are shaping our Mission Action Plan in line with the Diocese of London’s Vision 2030. We are committed to growing younger by encouraging children and young people to take their place in worship and leadership. We seek to build creative growth through music, lifting our voices in praise as the psalmist declares: “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live” (Psalm 104:33). We are determined to show care for God’s creation, to model racial justice and inclusion, and to be a parish that reflects the compassion of Christ to our wider community.

My hope is that St Mark and St Stephen will be a community where faith is deepened, lives are transformed, and Christ’s light shines in Bush Hill Park and beyond. As Acts tells us of the early church, “So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily” (Acts 16:5). With prayer, courage, and joy, may God strengthen us for the work ahead, that we may be a blessing to our neighbours and bring glory to His holy name.

Revd Prebendary Dr Amatu Christian-Iwuagwu