Rector – West Berkshire Downs in the Lambourn Valley Join us in the picturesque West Downland Benefice, where rolling hills, charming villages, and a warm community await. Excellent transport links to London, Oxford and Southampton. The people here are enthusiastic, open minded, supportive and the fabric of the community. We love the place in which we live, and it is important that you do too. Our purpose together, is to encourage the word of God throughout the community.We are looking an inspirational and motivational leader, who enjoys working with our schools and congregations of all ages. In summary we are looking for someone who enjoys faith, fellowship, friendship, and fun.Could you be the person to make our welcoming community your home?Benefice Video Link - https://youtu.be/_rGzsQMcSwU. Please see attachment for our full Benefice ProfileClosing Date: 20th August Interview Date: 7th September
The building now known as St Stephen’s church was originally built as a Wesleyan Chapel in 1837. By this time – John Wesley having died in 1791 – the tradition was widespread and Shefford Woodlands was a good centre for such a chapel. In those days the village stood at the intersection of the important highways from Salisbury to Oxford and the Roman Road from Speen to Cirencester, called Ermine Street.The Chapel was built at the west end of the Wheelwright’s garden. These premises, then owned by one Stephen Waldron, are now known as Chapel House (previously Crossways). The Chapel was built as a plain rectangular building entered directly from the road to the west. Sometime towards the end of the 19th century the chapel fell into disuse and it was not until 1910 that a Captain Burmester (resident of “Lovelocks”) acquired it from the trustees and proposed, to the Oxford Diocesan Registry, its use by the Church of England.... download the visitors booklet to read more
