Introduction

St Michael's Anglican Church is situated in the small town of Beaulieu sur Mer on the southeast coast of France, equidistant between Nice and Monaco/Monte Carlo. There is a permanent resident population of approximately 4,000, rising to around 14,000 at the peak of the holiday season between Easter and October. The main local employment is to be found in hotels, apartment blocks, marinas, villas, restaurants and other aspects of tourism found elsewhere on the shores of the Mediterranean. There are two beaches and attractive coastal walks in both directions from the town. There is a small cinema.

There is a large supermarket and a good variety of other shops, banks, estate agents, cafes and restaurants plus a daily fruit, vegetables and fish market in the town square. There are several doctors and dentists and other medical support services available.

Beaulieu is served by excellent transport links along the Cote d'Azur, to Italy and beyond via road, bus and train services. The International airport of Nice (2^nd busiest airport in France) is about 45 minutes away by car. More general local information can be found on the town's website: http://www.beaulieusurmer.fr

1. Constituency 

St Michael's seeks to serve not only the English-speaking people resident or visiting Beaulieu but the neighbouring areas of Eze, Cap d'Ail, St Jean Cap Ferrat and Villefranche; our present multi-national congregation is drawn mostly from all these places. The next nearest Anglican churches are in Nice (to the west) and Monte Carlo (to the east). The majority of people who, potentially, are likely to be part of the congregation have reached normal retirement age but some are still working and a small number have children in school or college. Most are Anglicans, but some come from other major denominations.

The building dates from the late 1890’s, designed by the then rising English architect Temple Moore, and is generally acknowledged to be one of the gems of the Riviera. It is a National Listed building (Monument Historique). The church is open to visitors on European Heritage days, and, for guided tours by the local office de tourisme. The English two-manual organ by Norman and Beard also dates back to the time of the inauguration of the building and is in good working order. The interior was restored and redecorated at the time of the centenary and is, generally, in good condition. Through the generosity of many associated with St Michael's extensive restoration and repainting of the exterior was undertaken in 2011 and completed in 2024, though maintenance is always ongoing.  The interior electrical system has recently been renovated and upgraded to bring it into line with modern requirements for a public building. The cost of this work has been met mostly by bequests. The church has no separate hall. Temporary arrangements are made for disabled access as required. There are no fixed pews in the church which allows for the movement of seating to accommodate social functions for the congregation as necessary. The building is used from time to time by the Town Council - with whom we enjoy cordial relations - for concerts open to the genera^l public. This provides a useful source of additional income. Separate contractual arrangements are in place for regular cleaning of the interior. The garden area surrounding the church is used for fellowship gatherings and is beautifully maintained by two members of the congregation.

The principal act of worship at St Michael’s is the weekly Sunday Eucharist at 10.00. Common Worship (Order One) is the main liturgy and vestments are worn. There is currently no Sunday School/Junior Church or Choir. Music for worship is provided in part by an organist and, at present with the use of recorded music. The congregation gathers socially for refreshments after each service on Sunday. Mid-week services are normally held, for example, on Ash Wednesday during Holy Week, Ascension Day, at All Souls' tide and around Christmas.  

On one Sunday per month our church is used by the Danish Lutheran Church for worship and refreshments and on Fridays by a French Pentecostal congregation.

There are a small number of Baptisms each year, and services of Marriage Blessing. 

As required Funeral services take place in Church and/or at the Crematoria in Nice or Monaco.

There are currently 48 names on the Electoral Roll (Easter 2024). Less than half of that number consider themselves to be permanent residents in the area, the balance being resident for part(s) of the year only. This does not represent the total number of regular worshippers.  Attendance at services ranges from 25 (Sunday Eucharist) to 120 (at major festivals) - the average attendance is around 40. There is a clear 'rolling nature' of attendance - the congregation at the peak of the holiday season for example could contain an entirely different set of people than say in February.

We maintain contact with more than 200 people throughout the world via email who have expressed the wish to be kept informed of the activities at St Michael's.

A monthly newsletter - 'The St Michael's Messenger' - is produced and circulated via email and posted on the web-site.

In common with most churches the issue of Finance is never far from our thinking and our agenda. Our income arises from fees for the use of the premises (e.g. The Danish Church, concerts, marriage blessings) and from plate collections, and regular donations from worshippers, and social events. Additionally, there are other generous benefactors who have donated to specific projects. This income only covers basic running costs, including rental of the chaplaincy apartment. Together with the Priest-in-Charge, the Chaplaincy Church Council has to exercise as much control as possible on expenditure while simultaneously seeking additional ways of raising income.

There are six lay Chalice assistants available on a rota basis; lay people read lessons and occasionally lead Intercessions. Small teams look after the altar linen, arrangements for flowers, management of refreshments etc.

There are two Churchwardens, two Archdeaconry Synod representatives, a treasurer, a secretary and six other lay people who, together with the Priest-in-Charge, make up the Chaplaincy Church Council.

Ecumenical relations (with the local Roman Catholic Clergy and congregation) have been good, but we are always looking for ways to foster and extend these relations. At present we are meeting together only once per year for a bi-lingual Carol Service.

The Church provides rent-free, furnished accommodation for the Priest-in-Charge in Beaulieu. This accommodation is rented by St Michael's from Holy Trinity Church in Nice. There is a sitting room, two bedrooms (one currently used as a study), fitted kitchen and bathroom with an additional separate WC. The apartment is 78 square metres, faces eastwest, has a small balcony on each side and is situated approximately 12 minutes' walk from the church. A small car is provided. There is a garage and a secure parking space in the courtyard of the building and a storage room in the basement.

The church pays the Taxe d'Habitation (local tax), Electricity, Gas, Telephone/lnternet charges and other agreed official expenses of office.