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Find out MORE about St. Gabriel’s Church

A school presentation with two children standing at microphones, one girl speaking and one boy waiting, in a classroom with teachers and colorful decorations, including a chart titled 'The Colours of the Church Year' and a television screen displaying a celestial scene.
A group of children and adults gathered outdoors, standing on a gravel surface with houses and a wooden fence in the background, enjoying snacks.

About St Gabriel’s Houlton

St. Gabriel’s is a new church created to serve the growing community of Houlton. From the very beginning, our vision has been to be more than simply a place that holds services - we want to be a church rooted in the life of the community, building relationships, supporting families, and helping people feel at home.

Our story began in 2017, at the same time as Houlton itself started to take shape. One of our very first activities was launching Dollman Dots, a baby and toddler group held in Houlton’s first community space. This reflected our heart to bless local families and invest in the young community growing around us.

In 2018, the Hillmorton parish vicarage moved into Houlton so that church leadership could become fully part of the community as it developed. That same year, we also helped open St. Gabriel’s C of E Academy, which has become an important part of both church and community life, and where our Sunday services are now based.

Today, St. Gabriel’s is a welcoming, informal, and diverse church community that reflects the character of modern Houlton. Around 40% of our congregation are under 16, and many people within our church family have African or Indian heritage, giving our community a rich multicultural identity.

We are part of the Church of England within the Hillmorton Parish, and work closely alongside our sister church, St. John the Baptist Hillmorton - the historic 12th-century parish church near the Hillmorton Locks. Together we share clergy, leadership, events, and community activities throughout the year.

Whether you’re looking for a church to belong to, exploring faith for the first time, or simply wanting to get connected in the local community, you are very welcome at St. Gabriel’s.

We’re also here to support people through important moments in life. If you’d like to talk about a christening, wedding, or funeral, please get in touch - we would be glad to help.

St. Gabriels Church Houlton logo featuring a white angel with blue and cyan wings on a dark gray background.
Three women standing together in a classroom, smiling. Behind them is a bulletin board with colorful papers and drawings, alongside a banner that reads 'Work to Be Proud of.' One woman is holding a pink paper with handwritten notes.
Children dressed in costumes for a school play, including angels, a wise person with a gold cape, and others, posing together inside a classroom.

ABOUT HOULTON

Houlton is a place rooted in a heritage of communication. It was the site of Rugby Radio Station, which communicated messages around the world through the 20th century, and was the site of the first transatlantic transmission.  

So, what better name for our church than St Gabriel’s, named after the patron saint of communication.  We too want to be people who communicate God’s love to those around us, and we share a common vision with St Gabriel’s school - to be a people who are ‘communicating love, inspiring our community to flourish’.  

Exterior of St. Gabriel's CofE Academy with blue sky and clouds, brick building, glass entrance doors, large white sign with school name, and smaller red sign welcoming visitors.