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The Parish Council Clerk: 01380 870708 Email: clerk@steeple-ashton.co.uk Parish Office (2 hrs/week): 01380 871454
Village Hall Bookings: 07827291945 or 01225 356196 or steepleashtonvh@hotmail.com
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Church of St Mary the Virgin Steeple Ashton.
Serving the villages of Great Hinton & Steeple Ashton
To contact a Churchwarden please email Michael Moore m.g.moore@btopenworld.com
The church is normally open every day (usually from 9am to 5pm).
We welcome visitors - please come inside and take time to look around or just come in to sit and contemplate or offer up a prayer or two for loved ones or for the things you care for in our world.
Details of services and events can be found inside the entrance porch, there are more display boards inside the church including info on the Diocesan Link with the Sudan and more locally events arranged by Steeple Ashton Christians Together.
We have a children’s corner where there are books and activities for younger ones for use both during services and whenever the church is open.
We have a mix of Sunday services over a monthly cycle and we welcome you to join us if you can.
8am Holy Communion Service on 2nd 3rd 4th Sundays.
Family Service on 2nd Sunday at 10.30am
Morning Prayer on 4th Sunday at 11.00am
Parish Communion on 1st 3rd Sundays at 11.00am.
Evensong [on some] 1st Sundays.
5th Sunday services variable.
Church festivals may vary the time or format of services held so please see the calendar for the current service schedules.
Said Morning Prayer Wednesdays at 8am
Item from the April edition Round About your Parish the Parish Magazine
Said Morning Prayer
It was a pleasant and interesting surprise that we learned very recently that this short service at 8am each Wednesday started in April 1994. So in April 2014 we will be celebrating our 20th year of worship, which has proved its worth through the years to both visitors and parishioners. People of all faiths are welcome to join us for we all share God’s grace together.
Today St Mary’s Church parish covers the civil parishes of Great Hinton and Steeple Ashton. The parish is part of a larger grouping also covering the parishes of North Bradley, Southwick and Heywood.
We are in the Diocese of Salisbury within the framework of The Church of England.
Our Vicar is Revd. Julian Parker.
Contact details.
Revd Julian Parker
The Vicarage
Church Lane
North Bradley
BA14 OTA
01225 752635
The Church of St Mary the Virgin Steeple Ashton
The present building is in the late perpendicular style, works to build a new nave and add side aisles were commenced in later part of the 15th Century these new structures were joined at the west by the fine tower completed earlier in 15th century and at the east to the existing chancel probably built during the early 13th century. This chancel was demolished in 1850’s and replaced with a new build that blends well with the 15th century sections of the church. Later in 19th century the interior was also reordered to the layout that can be seen today.
Notable interior features are fine vaulted side aisles, the carved nave roof. The ample light from clerestory windows allow the fine proportions and lines of the structure to be appreciated and the splendour of the niche and pillar boss carvings. There are fragments of medieval glass in the windows of the side aisles which at least predates 1485.
The exterior of the building is dominated by the 90 foot tall tower which like the aisles, nave and chancel are blessed with many fine pinnacles and carved grotesques.
One feature no longer upon the present church is the steeple. There was a steeple on the church by the mid 13th century and this feature was again renewed when the present tower was built. The tower and steeple were recorded to be of a combined height of 186ft being only second in height in the county to that of Salisbury Cathedral. In 1670 tragedy occurred when the steeple was struck twice by lightning, the first occasion was on 25th July, then again on 15th October a further strike when two workmen were killed. The damage to the aisles, nave and tower was repaired following these two storms but the steeple was not replaced. The village still retains the link to that lost structure in its name.
The church guide booklet “The Story of the Church of St Mary the Virgin Steeple Ashton” can be found on sale in the church. There is further information on the church history contained within The Friends of Steeple Ashton publication “Steeple Ashton Village History & Guide” which can also be purchased in the church.
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