Among the places of worship in the town and area of Malvern, Worcestershire are centres of dedication to many faiths and denominations. The town has 31 Christian churches with 11 belonging to the Church of England, ranging from low church to high Anglo-Catholic, two Roman Catholic, one Evangelical, and the others being Non-Conformist and other faiths. Its oldest place of worship is the almost cathedral sized parish church of Great Malvern Priory which is all that remains of the former 10th century abbey in central Malvern, which according to the Worcester Monastic Annals, work began in 1085.Wells, Katherine (2009) Tour of Great Malvern Priory p.2, Friends of Great Malvern Priory The chain of Malvern Hills lies in a north-south direction, thus posing a challenge for the architects of Christian churches located on the steep slopes, chancels being traditionally sited at the east end of the building. Many churches were built in the 19th century concomitant with the rapid expansion of the town due to its popularity as a spa. A few modern buildings such as St Mary's Church (1960) in Sherrard's Green, have been constructed in the second half of the 20th century, and some churches, notably St Andrews in Poolbrook, have had important modern extensions added during the first decade of the 21st century.

Except for the Bright Earth Temple, as of 2022 there are no facilities for other faiths in Malvern. A synagogue in Worcester was created by Ashkenazi Orthodox evacuees from Birmingham during World War II. However, by 1973 the community had become so small it was not possible obtain a minyan and the remaining members voted the community out of existence. The nearest synagogues are the four in Birmingham. The small Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community serves Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire holding services in various locations throughout the counties. There are two established mosques in Worcester serving the Muslim community. The nearest Sikh gurdwaras are located in Birmingham, Smethwick, and Leamington. Hindu temples for the region and the nearest venues for other faiths are mainly in the Birmingham - Black Country - Coventry area.

All institutions are listed in alphabetical order by faith, denomination and facility. Some link to their more complete Wikipedia pages.

Church of England

All Saints Church

Style of worship: Open evangelical All Saints remains as one of two C of E churches in Malvern Wells following the closure of St Peter's Gothic style church designed by Robert Jearrad (1836). Built in 1930 in 13th-century style in Malvern rag-stone by architect Troyte Griffith of Nevinson & Newton, to whom Sir Edward Elgar dedicated an Enigma Variation, it is located on steep sloping common land donated by Lady Emily Foley, it has a semicircular apsidal chancel which demonstrates the architectural challenges of east-facing chancels on the flanks of the Malvern Hills, and an organ by Nicholsons. Location: Wells Road, The Wyche, Malvern Wells Built: 1903 Architecture: 13th-century style. Architect: Troyte Griffith Organ: Nicholson & Co Ltd. Bells: One, in a small turret. Notable people in cemetery: Parish:Malvern Wells and Wyche, part of the Chase Team Ministry Incumbents: Current incumbent as of 6 October 2024: Rev. Emily Spencer, Vicar of the Malvern Chase Team Ministry (St Andrew’s, All Saints, St Marys); Rev. Dave Bruce (Chase Team Rector) Further reading: Roden, Hugh C. B. (1923) A guide to All Saints' Church, the Wyche, Malvern. W. H. Lovel, Malvern. OL17391375M

Great Malvern Priory, Church of St Mary & St Michael

Style of worship: Anglican. Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) Location: Church Street, Great Malvern Built: from 1085 Architecture: Norman, and 1440 Perpendicular.. Grade I listed. one of the largest non-cathedral parish churches in England and one of the country's Major Parish Churches in the Major Churches Network. 15th century stained glass windows. Organ: Built by Nicholson of Malvern from 1879. Rebuilt and restored by Rushworth and Dreaper in 1927 and 1977. Further overhauled by Nicholson in 2003 and is a Certified Historic Organ. Bells: Ring of 11, earliest Cast c.1350 by John of Gloucester.

Parish: Great Malvern, Deanery of Malvern and Upton. Incumbent: As of October 2024 Rev. Roger Latham, Vicar.

Christ Church

Style of worship: Standard Church Of England liturgy, 'relaxed and informal'. Location: Avenue Road, Great Malvern, within 200 metres of Great Malvern station and Malvern St James independent girls school. Parish: Christ Church.Parish website Retrieved 11 June 2020 Built: 1875, the church is a Grade II listed building, and an English Heritage grant (2015) aided place of worship,English Heritage Retrieved 6 January 2010 Architecture: Designed and built by T D Barry & Sons of Liverpool to seat 700 people,Report No. WSM20355 WCC Historic Environment Record its architecture is based on pure 14th century Gothic style with a 55-metre spire and an east window by Charles Eomer Kemp.Pevsner, N. (1968) The Buildings of England: Worcestershire Organ: 1,486 pipe organ constructed by Nicholsons of Malvern in 1884, restored and repaired in 1971 and 1986.Berry, Hilary (2011) Bells: Two bells in the tower, a 6 cwt in C, and a 7 cwt in D were cast by John Taylor & Co, Loughborough in 1875.Parish web site. Retrieved 9 December 2011 Notable people in graveyard: The church does not have its own graveyard; burials take place in the nearby Great Malvern cemetery in Madresfield Road. Incumbent: vacant (2022). Services are held by retired clergy and others

Church of the Ascension

Style of worship: 'Forward-looking Church of England using a modern Catholic liturgy based on an inclusive, liberal theology'. Location: Somers Park Avenue, Link Top. Parish: Malvern Link with Cowleigh. One of the three churches in the parish that also includes St Matthias' Church in Malvern Link and St Peter's Church in Cowleigh. Built: 1903. Grade II listed building (1991) Architecture: Early English Gothic by Gothic revival architect Sir Walter Tapper, his first church. Early English style in Cotswold stone with lancet windows, featuring a stone relief of the Ascension by Harry Hems. Modeled on a 13th century Cistercian monastery, the building is noted for its acoustics and is a regular venue for choirs and Gregorian chants. Bells: none. The former two bells were sold in the 1960s to raise funds Notable people in cemetery: no consecrated cemetery Current incumbent: As of 22 April 2018, The Rev. Phillip Johnson, vicar. Rev. James Williams, Priest-in-Charge (2024) Affiliations: Progressive Christianity Network Britain. Church web site: Not available

Holy Trinity

Location: Link Top, North Malvern Parish: North Malvern, Diocese of Worcester Built: 1850-51 as a Chapel of Ease to Malvern Priory, It became its own parish in 1869. Expanded 1872, 1896-7, 1908-9 (Grade II Listed) Architecture: Early Decorated/Early English by Samuel Daukes, London, with influences of the Oxford Movement Bells: 2 Organ by Nicholson & Co Ltd of Worcester, 1878. Later organs (electronic), 1975, 1988, by Makin Organs. The current organ is a three manual Viscount digital church organ installed in 2018. holytrinitymalvern. Retrieved 4 December 2024 Notable people in cemetery: Current incumbent: , Rev Rebecca Elliott, vicar

St Andrew's Church

Style of worship: Open evangelical Location: Poolbrook Parish: Malvern Wells and Wyche, part of the Malvern and Upton Deanery Built:1882 by Sir Arthur Blomfield in memory of a member of the Chance Brothers glassware family. Architecture: by G. Lewis Sheppard in 13th century style (Early English). Bells: 1 Notable people in cemetery: Current incumbent as of 6 October 2024: Rev. Emily Spencer, Vicar of the Malvern Chase Team Ministry (St Andrew’s, All Saints, St Marys)

St Giles Church (Little Malvern Priory)

Style of worship: Holy Communion every Sunday. Modern language Church of England ‘Common Worship’ liturgy. Location: Little Malvern Grade I listed (1968) Parish: Little Malvern Built: 1125 Architecture: was part of a Benedictine Priory founded in 1171. 14th-15th centuries and has some Norman remains. Bells: 1 by John of Gloucester ca. 1354 Organ: 1882 by William Hill & Sons, London.Berrows Worcester Journal 19 August 1882 p4 Refurbished 2018–19 by Nicholson & Co Ltd Windows: Stained glass, 1480Habington, Thomas (1717) Antiquities of the Cathedral Church of Worcester Notable people in cemetery: Current incumbent: Revd. Stephen Sealy (Non-Stipendiary Incumbent)

St James's

Style of worship: Traditional Common Worship Holy Communion with hymns.A Church Near You, St James Accessed 4 December 2024 Location: West Malvern Parish: West Malvern St. James (Benefice of Malvern Holy Trinity and St James West Malvern), Archdeaconry & Diocese of Worcester. Originally 'Mathon St. James', renamed 1844West Malvern Parish Grade II listed (1949) Built:1885Historic England Architecture: 13th century style (Early English). Malvern ragstone with ashlar dressings Bells:1 Notable people in cemetery: Peter Mark Roget (1869) of Roget's Thesaurus Current incumbent: The Revd Rebecca Elliott, vicar (as of January 2021)

St Leonard

Style of worship: High Church (Anglo-Catholic). Built as an Anglo-Catholic church and maintains its tradition of Oxford Movement ceremony, liturgy and worship Location: Newland Parish: Former parish church of Newland, in 1998 it became the private chapel of the Beauchamp Community. Open to everyone. Built:1862. Grade I listedSt Leonard’s Church, Newland, Malvern Hills District Council Architecture: 14th century style by Philip Hardwick(p. 17), Gambier Parry fresco technique by Clayton and Bell Bells: Notable people in cemetery: Current incumbent: As of 1 December 2024 Rev. Angie Watts, Chaplain.beauchampstleonard. The Beauchamp Community at Newland & St Leonard's Church. 2023 The Beauchamp Community. Accessed 4 December 2024

St Mary's Church, Pickersleigh Location: Sherrards Green Road, Malvern Parish: Pickersleigh (a new parish created in September 2014).WeAreSt.Marys St Mary's Church, Pickersleigh. Accessed 4 December 2024 Built: 1958, originally as a chapel of ease for Christ Church to serve the many council estates in the area. Architecture: Mid 20th century Bells: None Notable people in cemetery: No cemetery. Incumbent: As of 6 October 2024: Rev. Emily Spencer, Vicar, part of the Malvern Chase Team Ministry (St Andrew’s, All Saints, St Mary's); Rector Rev. Dave Bruce

St Mary's

Location: Guarlford Road, Guarlford Style of worship: BCP with hymns and Common Worship Parish: First built as St Mary's Barnards Green, a chapel of ease of Great Malvern Priory. Parish Church in 1866. Benefice of Powick and Guarlford and Madresfield with Newland, 1999. Built: 1844 by George McCann, Malvern. Grade II listed Architecture: designed by Thomas Bellamy of London. Bells: none Notable people in cemetery: Current vicar/priest/minister: The Rev. Gary Crellin, Rector (as of 2020)

St Mary the Virgin

Location: Madresfield Style of worship: BCP with hymns and Common Worship

Benefice of Powick and Guarlford and Madresfield with Newland, 1999.

Built: 1867. Grade II listed Architecture: designed by Frederick Preedy in 14th century style, with stained glass windows. 'Parishes: Madresfield', A History of the County of Worcester: volume 4 (1924), pp. 118-122

Bells: peal of 6 bells cast by Taylor of Loughborough Notable people in cemetery: Current vicar/priest/minister: The Rev. Gary Crellin, Rector (as of 2020)

St Matthias' Church

Style of worship: 'Forward-looking Church of England using a modern Catholic liturgy based on an inclusive, liberal theology'. Location: Church Road, Malvern Link Parish: Malvern Link with Cowleigh (with St Peters and the Church of the Ascension). Built: 1844 by Mc.Cann, Malvern. Tower added 1898–9 by Collins & Godfrey of Tewkesbury. Grade II Listed