Churches

Introduction

There are two churches in Ashbury: St Mary The Virgin Parish Church and the Ambassadors’ Bible Church (formerly the Ashbury Evangelical Free Church).

The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Ashbury

St.Mary

 

The Shrivenham & Ashbury Benefice

is situated in the Vale of the White Horse and is part of the Oxford Diocese. It is comprised of seven villages, each with their own church:

  • Shrivenham
  • Ashbury
  • Watchfield
  • Bourton
  • Longcot
  • Fernham
  • Compton Beauchamp

Clergy, Lay Ministers, Wardens

Vicar Rev. Norma Fergusson 01793 784338
Associate Vicar Vacancy
Licensed Lay minister Richard Fergusson
Church Wardens of Ashbury Parish Church Maggie Simons
Richard Green
01793 710801
01793 791308

As a result of extensive searches of the archives, initially by Peter Knott, and more recently by Leonie Knott and Margaret Smith, a plaque setting out the names of Vicars and Rectors appointed to St Mary’s Church, Ashbury from 1317 to 2000 has been placed at the Church in memory of Rev Dr Michael Starr. A copy may be viewed here. A list of Vicars and associate vicars appointed to St Mary’s Church since 2000 is also available in the church.

The Baptism Roll from 1947 in is also available in the church.

Service Times in Ashbury

Service times for the Shrivenham and Ashbury Benefice churches can be found on the Shrivenham and Ashbury Benefice website here.

Sunday Service times for St Mary’s Church, Ashbury – services usually start at 11.00am. The last service of each month is a Benefice service held in one of the Benefice churches. Detailed services for the month can be found on the Church Notice Boards – in the church Porch and at the bottom of Church Lane.

The Craven Chapel on the north side of the Nave has a book for prayer requests and pebbles available to place on the altar as a sign that someone has been praying there.

Ashbury Parochial Church Council

The Parochial Church Council or PCC is the executive body of a Church of England Parish. It consists of the clergy and churchwardens of the Parish, plus a number of representatives of the laity. It is responsible, in co-operation with the incumbent vicar, for promoting the mission of the Church within its Parish; this includes the financial affairs of the Church and the care and maintenance of the Church fabric and its contents.

PCC Membership
Vacancy (Secretary)
Claire Routley (Treasurer)
Judy Clarke
Richard Fergusson
Richard Green (Church Warden)
Clare McGlashan
Maggie Simons (Church Warden)
Margaret Smith (Minutes Secretary)

Church Activities

Bell Ringers ensure that the bells at St Mary’s Church are rung regularly. Volunteers are needed and training is available. Contact: Susie & Allister Godfrey ashburytower@gmail.com

Shrivenham Bereavement Support Group –  If you have suffered a bereavement and want somewhere you can speak freely and find support contact Rev’d Norma Fergusson 01793 784338 rev.n.fergusson@btinternet.com or Rose-Anne O’Hare 01793 784017 roseanne@outlook.com

Exploring the Christian Faith – an an Alpha course is run from time to time in Shrivenham as a benefice/joint with Methodist activity. Contact the vicar for further information.

Friends of Ashbury Church devise a variety of creative activities to raise funds towards the upkeep and restoration of our historic church. Contact: Maggie Simons 710801

Benefice Choir – This is open to all; there is no audition and no requirement to read music. For more details contact Mrs Claire Hartley on chartley.music@gmail.com

Flower Arranging in St Mary’s – Volunteers keep the church looking lovely by arranging the flowers and cleaning. If you feel you can help in this way please contact Maggie Simons (710801).

Monthly Parish Newsletter is available from the home page here and in paper copy by request.

Stations of Nativity is an annual, much loved event in the village which attracts a few hundred people every year to re-enact the Christmas story.

New Residents in Ashbury, Idstone and Kingstone Winslow a pack is available for new residents which contains useful information. If you have moved into the village recently and would like to receive a pack, or if you have a new neighbour, please contact Margaret Smith (710800) or Roger Simons (710801). Several new arrivals who moved into the Ashbury area in the past nine months have found this information very helpful in making many varied contacts.

Church Works

We believe that Britain’s Historic churches are very important and we are working hard to keep our Ashbury Parish Church a focal part of our community, welcoming to all.

In recent years we have replaced the South Nave Roof after a theft, installed a sound system, improved heating and lighting, installed a modern kitchenette and large multipurpose toilet with disabled and baby facilities. On-going plans include repairing the old chalk where it is failing, redecorating and repairing the chancel and encouraging nature into our churchyards.

If you would like to support and help us maintain and improve our church you can donate by text.

Text to: 70085 with whatever amount you want to donate:

  •   stmarys5 will donate £5.00 or
  •   stmarys10 will donate £10.00

Church History

St Mary’s church is a grade 1 listed building. The first reference to a church in Ashbury was in 947AD in the Glastonbury Abbey Chronicle. The present building dates from 12th century where the Normans built it on the site of an earlier Saxon Church.

Various items of historical interest are available on the archives section of this website – click here.

The Ambassadors’ Bible Church

Ambassadors' Bible Church

The Ashbury Evangelical Free Church was founded in 1909 and celebrated its centenary in 2009; click here to read a booklet published to mark this important event and click here to see some of the old photographs that were displayed at the time.

In November 2019, it merged with Ambassadors’ Bible Church, an independent church plant from Shrivenham/Watchfield. The Ashbury Evangelical Free Church now ministers under the name, Ambassadors’ Bible Church, and is an Independent Evangelical Church. The church is a growing dynamic church which ministers across the entire age spectrum. ABC is also a Global Goodwill Ambassador of Teach Every Nation International and distributes their teaching/discipleship material across the UK and EU. Service and contact details can be found at:

http://www.ambiblechurch.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/ambassadorsbiblechurch
email: pastors@ambiblechurch.uk