West Tarring Church Hosts First Pet Service in Honour of St Francis

St Andrew’s Church in West Tarring has held its first-ever pet service, inviting locals to bring their animals in celebration of the feast of St Francis of Assisi. The event drew a mix of dogs, a cat, and even a tortoise.

The service, which took place on October 6, aimed to honour St Francis of Assisi, known for his affinity for animals and nature. The church welcomed approximately 30 dogs, along with other animals, as their owners participated in the special event. Rector Fr Steven Emerson explained that the service reflected the growing focus on environmental and nature-related concerns.

During the event, attendees sang hymns with an animal theme, and the pets were invited forward for individual blessings. Fr Steven noted that, despite preparing for potential chaos, the animals were surprisingly well-behaved, and the service was a joyful occasion celebrating the companionship animals bring to people’s lives.