St Barbara's
Church
History
The villagers of Ashton
have worshipped here for 1000 years. The churches of Ashton and
nearby Beckford have been linked since the 8th Century; Ashton
church was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The dedication to St
Barbara, patron saint of armourers, gunners and blacksmiths, is
an unusual one and first appears in the 18th Century. Over the
centuries, St Barbara's has evolved into the church you see today.
The oldest parts date from Norman times, represented by the South
doorway with its characteristic rounded arch. The Tower, which
houses a fine ring of six bells, was begun in the 13th century.
The Chancel was rebuilt in 1624 by Sir John Franklin, then Lord
of the Manor. The striking Arts and Crafts stained glass windows
at the East end of the church date from the late 19th/early 20th
Centuries.
New
A new booklet The
History of St Barbara's Church has just been published
Today
Since 1985 Ashton has been a member of the wider
Beckford Group Parish (Church of England) which also includes
Beckford, Overbury, Teddington, Alstone and Little Washbourne.
The church is open every day from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm (or dusk
in winter) and all are welcome to come in and enjoy the atmosphere
of peace and centuries of worship.
As well as regular services at which everyone is welcome, there
are special services for Festivals and other significant events
in Ashton's year. St Barbara's also serves the community for Baptisms,
Marriages and Funerals. The church is fortunate to have a regular
organist and choir. There are refreshments and a friendly chat after morning
services. For boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 12 there's a thriving Junior Church
St Barbara's relies on your support for its worship and its fabric.
If you would like to be involved in the activities of the church
in any way, please contact the churchwardens. The most effective
means of donating to the church is by Planned Giving, and our
Gift Aid Secretary would be very glad to hear from anyone who
would like to contribute.
Who's Who
|
The Vicar
Reverend Jan Moore,
Beckford Vicarage,
Station Road,
Beckford
01386 881349 |
|
Churchwarden
Alastair Humphrey,
Morland,
Elmley Road,
Ashton under Hill
01386 881479 |
Churchwarden
John Dodge,
The Old Farmhouse,
Elmley Road,
Ashton under Hill
01386 881487 |
|
Gift Aid Secretary
David Williams Thomas,
Orchard House,
Cottons Lane,
Ashton under Hill
|
Location
The approach to
St Barbara's Church is from the village cross through the
lychgate at the junction of Beckford Road, Elmley Road and
The Groaten.
Services
(Full
details of services each month are in the Parish Magazine
and on the Church Noticeboard
Day of
Month |
|
Time |
Details of Service |
|
1st
Sunday |
9:30
am
6:00 pm |
Morning Prayer
in the winter months.
Evensong
in the summer.
|
|
2nd Sunday |
9:30 am |
Holy Communion (Common Worship)
with Junior Church |
|
3rd Sunday |
New
time 9:30 am |
Informal Family Service |
|
4th Sunday |
New
time 8:00 am |
Holy Communion (Book of Common
Prayer) followed by United Parish Worship at
10.00am which rotates around the five churches of the parish
on a monthly basis |
|