St Mark’s Church Achieves Gold Eco Church Award: A Story of Environmental Stewardship
In a remarkable achievement for local environmental stewardship, St Mark’s Church in Oulton Broad has become the first church in the Diocese of Norwich to receive the prestigious Eco Church Gold Award from Christian environmental charity A Rocha UK. This milestone represents the culmination of a dedicated journey that began in 2021 when the church earned its bronze award, followed by silver in 2022. The congregation has systematically worked to integrate creation care into every aspect of church life, demonstrating that environmental responsibility and spiritual mission can be beautifully intertwined. The accomplishment stands as a testament to what committed communities can achieve when they unite around a shared vision of environmental stewardship, providing an inspiring example for other churches throughout the region and beyond.
The Bishop of Norwich, The Rt Revd Graham Usher, who serves as the Church of England’s lead bishop for the environment, warmly celebrated this achievement, noting how it demonstrates that “care for climate and nature can be woven through the life of a parish church’s ministry and mission.” This sentiment was echoed by the Revd Canon Helen Jary, Rector of the Oulton Broad Team Ministry, who reflected on the profound learning journey the congregation has experienced while living out the Church’s fifth Mark of Mission, which calls believers to “strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.” Their comments highlight how environmental care has become not merely an additional program but a central expression of the church’s faith and mission, connecting spiritual values with practical action in the community.
The church’s Green Team has been instrumental in this success, with member Harvey Bradley emphasizing how the award has generated positive momentum and a fresh perspective. “Seeing bad news or good news is a matter of perspective. If we look for good news we will find it,” Bradley remarked, highlighting the church’s plans to use 2026 as a year to celebrate the many positive environmental initiatives happening both locally and internationally. He pointed to the growing network of at least ten other churches in the Lowestoft area that have registered with A Rocha UK, creating a community-wide movement of environmental care that extends far beyond the walls of St Mark’s. This collaborative approach demonstrates how faith communities can become catalysts for broader societal change, addressing environmental and climate concerns through practical actions ranging from recycling initiatives to beach cleanings and engagement with local government policy decisions.
The achievement resonates beyond the local congregation, as Barbara Bryant, Diocesan Environment Officer, emphasized its significance for the broader diocese, which is working toward an Eco Diocese Silver level certification. Bryant described St Mark’s as a “beacon leading the way” for more than 200 other churches already participating in the Eco Church journey. Helen Stephens, Church Relations Manager for A Rocha UK, added her congratulations, acknowledging that “becoming a gold Eco Church is not an easy journey” and praising St Mark’s for the “dedication and perseverance” required to reach this milestone. Both emphasized how St Mark’s example demonstrates that environmental stewardship isn’t peripheral to Christian faith but central to its mission and ministry, providing a practical expression of biblical teachings on caring for creation and loving one’s neighbors in a world increasingly affected by climate change.
The Eco Church programme itself provides a comprehensive framework that enables churches to evaluate and improve their environmental impact across five key areas: Worship and Teaching, Buildings and Energy, Land and Nature, Community and Global Engagement, and Lifestyle. This holistic approach ensures that environmental considerations touch every aspect of church life, from the theological messages conveyed in sermons to the practical decisions about energy usage, landscaping practices, community partnerships, and the personal habits of congregation members. With nearly 9,000 churches registered and over 4,500 having achieved awards at various levels, the program has created a growing movement within the UK’s faith communities that combines spiritual motivation with practical environmental action. For St Mark’s, the journey through bronze and silver to gold represents a deepening commitment to these principles across all five domains.
Located on Bridge Road in Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, St Mark’s Church now stands as an inspiration not only to other churches in East Norfolk but to faith communities throughout the country. Their achievement demonstrates that environmental stewardship can flourish in traditional parish settings when approached with dedication, creativity, and a clear theological vision. As Harvey Bradley expressed, the congregation’s efforts are “grounded in the belief that the natural world is God’s creation and worthy of our care”—a perspective that connects their environmental work to the heart of their faith tradition. As climate concerns intensify globally, St Mark’s journey offers a hopeful narrative about the potential of local communities to make meaningful differences through consistent, thoughtful action. Their story reminds us that while the environmental challenges we face are immense, the cumulative impact of communities committed to change can be equally powerful, especially when inspired by deeply held values and beliefs about our responsibility to care for the world around us.
