Introduction
There are two churches in Ashbury, St Mary The Virgin Parish Church and the Ambassador Church.
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.
The Evangelical Free Church 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.
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Ashbury
Ambassador Church (copyright Diane McLaren)
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:
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Shrivenham
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Ashbury
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Watchfield
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Bourton
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Longcot
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Fernham
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Compton Beauchamp
Clergy, Lay Ministers, Wardens and Elders
|
Vicar
|
(from September 2019) | |
|
Lord Rodney Elton Richard Fergusson |
01793 710225 01793 710055 |
| Maggie Simons | 01793 710801 |
The Covenant has recently been renewed for a further 5 years as from 18 September 2016. Click here to read it.Service Times in Ashbury
- Service times for the Shrivenham and Ashbury Benefice may be found on the Shrivenham web site.
- Service times for St Mary’s Church, Ashbury are as follows:
| 2019 | Services held at Ashbury unless otherwise indicated |
| Ashbury Services are at 11.00am each Sunday, except N.B. Benefice Service 21st at Compton: (St Swinthuns Patronal Festival) 10.30am | |
| Compton: 9.am on July 7th. Patronal Festival on 21st at 10.30am | |
| Longcot: 4.30pm on July 7th. Joint Service at Shrivenham 9.30am on 14th and 28th. 6pm on 21st
Fernham 4.30pm on July 7th Joint Service at Shrivenham. 9.00am on 14th, 6pm on 28th. |
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| The Craven Chapel is always open for prayer and for some time there have been 3 pebbles available to place on the alter as a sign that someone has been praying there. The pebbles are prayed on Thursdays at the 8am Morning Prayer. | |
| The Ashbury prayer cycle for July will be: Wixes Piece, 14th, Ashbury Hill, 21st, Berrycroft 28th, Berrycroft Lane. | |
| Services Held at Ashbury Evangelical Free Church
Communion Service 14th July, Tea & Chat Wednesdays 3rd & 17th July 2.15pm. Everyone Welcome. |
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. Contact: PCC Secretary – 710801
| PCC Membership 2019 |
| Roger Simons (Secretary) |
| James Reade (Treasurer) |
| Dickie Green |
| Judy Clarke |
| Richard Fergusson |
| Clare McGlashan |
| Sue Reade |
| Gail Loose |
| Maggie Simons (Church Warden) |
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 and new ideas to help you in your grief. Contact : Contact Norma 01793 784338 or email: vicar@shrivenhamandashbury.co.uk or Rose-Anne 01793 784017 or email: Roseanne@outlook.com
Exploring the Christian Faith – an Alpha course is run from time to time in Shrivenham as a benefice/joint with Methodist activity.
Friends of Ashbury Church devise a variety of creative activities to raise funds towards the upkeep and restoration of our historic church. Contact: 710208
Benefice Choir – For more details call: 710208
Flower Arranging in St Mary’s – Maggie Simons (710801)