What happens at a christening?

A christening — also called baptism — is a service of welcome into God's family. The minister blesses water, parents and godparents make promises of faith, and the child is baptised with water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. At St Mary Magdalene baptisms take place within our All Age service on the first Sunday of the month — warm, brief and joyful, with everyone invited to gather round the font.

Is a christening the same as a baptism?

Yes. "Christening" and "baptism" describe the same sacrament, and in the Church of England the words are used interchangeably. "Baptism" refers to the act of baptising with water; "christening" is the traditional name for the service, especially for infants. Use whichever word feels natural to you.

What's the difference between a christening and a baptism?

There's no real difference — they're two names for one thing. Strictly, baptism is the sacrament (being baptised with water), while christening is the everyday word for the welcoming service, particularly for babies. Both mark the same beginning of life as a Christian, and we're happy to use either term.

How long does a christening take?

The baptism itself is short — only a few minutes. At St Mary Magdalene christenings take place within our All Age service at 10am on the first Sunday of the month, so you and your guests join the wider church family for worship of about 45 minutes, with the baptism at its heart.

Can adults be christened?

Yes — baptism is for any age. Adults who haven't been baptised are warmly welcomed, and we'd love to talk with you about it. Get in touch with Ryan and he'll explain what's involved.

St Mary MagdaleneWelwyn Garden City

Christening (Baptism)

Published 2nd Jun 2026

Begin an Amazing Journey: Christenings at St Mary Magdalene

A Christening, also known as Baptism, marks the beginning of an incredible journey of faith. It's a special moment when we welcome your child into the loving family of the Church, celebrating the gift of life and God's love for them. At St Mary Magdalene, in the heart of Welwyn Garden City, we cherish the opportunity to share this significant occasion with you and your family.

Baptism ('to plunge') uses water as a visible sign of God's cleansing love and the start of a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. 'Christening' speaks to the act of becoming a Christian. Here, they mean the same wonderful beginning.

The Church Priest baptising two children

A Warm Welcome in Welwyn Garden City

St Mary Magdalene is a welcoming Anglican church community made up of people from all walks of life here in Hertfordshire. We believe a Christening isn't just a ceremony, but the moment your child is embraced by our wider church family. That's why Christenings usually take place during our main Sunday 10 am Service at our church on Hollybush Lane (AL7 4JS). This allows our regular congregation to share in the joy, offer prayers, and promise their support for your child's journey in faith. If you're new to our church, find out what to expect on our First Time? page.

What Happens During the Service?

The Christening service is filled with meaning and joy. Our Priest, Ryan Gilfeather, will guide you through it. Key moments include:

The Welcome: Formally welcoming your family and guests.
Bible Readings & Talk: Sharing stories and insights about God's love.
The Promises: Parents and Godparents make important promises on behalf of the child to nurture them in the Christian faith.
Signing with the Cross: The Priest makes the sign of the cross on the child's forehead, a symbol of belonging to Christ.
Water Baptism: The heart of the service, where the Priest pours blessed water over the child's head.
The Candle: A special candle is given, symbolising the light of Christ entering the child's life.

We hold a simple rehearsal beforehand to familiarise you with the service, answer your questions, and discuss the meaning of the promises you'll make.

The Role of Godparents

Choosing godparents is an important decision. They should be individuals who will be positive Christian role models for your child. Ideally, godparents should be baptised themselves. Their role involves:

Praying for their godchild regularly.
Setting an example of Christian living.
Helping their godchild learn more about the Christian faith.
Being there to support them throughout their life.

Christenings for All Ages

It's never too late to be welcomed into the church family! We are always delighted to discuss Baptism with older children, teenagers, and adults who wish to make this commitment for themselves. Please contact us to find out more.

Celebrating After the Service

Many families like to host a small celebration after the Christening service. Our nearby Parish Centre on Hall Grove (AL7 4PJ) offers a bright, modern, and accessible space perfect for such gatherings. It has a kitchen, seating for up to 30 guests, and convenient on-site parking. For slightly larger gatherings, consider our Upper Hall within the main church building. Hiring our venues provides a wonderful space for your celebration and also helps support the church's ministry.

Enquiring About a Christening

We'd love to hear from you if you're considering a Christening at St Mary Magdalene, your local Church of England church in Welwyn Garden City.

The best first step is to come along to our 10 am Sunday Service to experience our community.
To enquire about dates and next steps, please email our bookings team at bookings@st-mary-magdalene.org.uk or use the form on our Contact Us page.

You can also find helpful general information on the Church of England Christenings website.

Supporting Our Ministry

Conducting Christenings, Weddings, and Funerals, and supporting families through life's milestones is a core part of our mission. As a parish church, we rely on the generosity of our community to maintain our beautiful historic church building and our modern Parish Centre, and to fund our work in Welwyn Garden City. If you would like to support St Mary Magdalene, please consider making a contribution via our Donations page. Your support makes a real difference.

Christenings & baptisms: your questions answered

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