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St Andrew's Church
St Andrew’s is the Church of England Parish Church of Hurstbourne Priors and is in the Diocese of Winchester. It is one of the four churches in the benefice of Hurstbourne Priors, Longparish, St Mary Bourne and Woodcott. Enquiries about services, baptisms, weddings and funerals should be made to the Assistant Priest, in the first instance. Church Officials
ServicesServices are held on most Sundays:
BellringersNew members are always welcome, whether you are a beginner or an experienced ringer. To find out more, contact Mr Philip Chalk on 01256 893133. The Church in the Community
The church in Hurstbourne Priors is:
The church is all these things and others as well, but would you like it to do more or serve the wider community in different ways? The Diocese of Winchester has particularly asked all its churches to look at how they serve the wider community. In Hurstbourne Priors we are regarded as being quite a close-knit community, for example because of the way so many people help to make the annual May Fair such a success. But a relatively small number of people come regularly to church services – although attendance at special events is good. The Parochial Church Council would like to have your views on ways that the church could serve the community, both young and old, better. The Church Wardens would therefore like you to send any comments you might have to Jeremy Goad at the School House, telephone 893211, e mail address jeremy@thegoads.co.uk Alternatively if you feel that it would be helpful to have a village meeting at which ideas could be presented and discussed, please let Jeremy know Thank you. Philip Chalk – Church Warden History
The ancient
The present church was built by the
In the north wall of the chancel is a fine canopied tomb, a splendid example of 16th century craftsmanship, possibly by Dutch craftsmen employed by the famous firm of Janssen in Southwark.
The Oxenbridge Altar Tomb was built in AD 1574 and shows the recumbent figures of Sir Robert Oxenbridge, Lord of the Manor, with his wife by his side. The inscription on the north side, dated 15th December 1574, stated the tomb contains the body of Sir Robert Oxenbridge, son of Goddard Oxenbridge, and that of his wife, the daughter of Thomas Fogge, Knight at Arms. The The Font is 12th century The Organ was designed by Sir Hubert Parry, the famous composer, and was played by him at the opening ceremony in 1906. Harry Plunket Greene (author of the book on angling “Where Bright Waters Meet”) sang as a member of the choir on that occasion.
Outside the Church stand two remarkable trees. A yew which, a century ago, was judged to between 700 and 800 years old and a horse chestnut which is not less than 200 years old and acknowledged to be the second largest in England. There is a plan of St Andrew’s Church, with interactive photos, at http://www.plunketgreene.hampshire.org.uk/Church.htm Proposal for the New Baptismal FontFrom the Proposal for a New Baptismal Font at St The previous font was 12th century “St Andrew’s Church is situated in open surroundings of a particularly tranquil and spiritual nature in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. An avenue of mature lime trees leads to the churchyard gates. On entering the church by the west door, the immediate impression of the interior is somewhat austere; the new font presents a rare opportunity to introduce a decorative and welcoming point at this end of the building. After much thought I chose the text “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16) from the Sermon on the Mount, as I have always found it especially profound and arresting, and apposite as an inscription on a baptismal font. In my proposed design the text is arranged to form visually coherent groups of words, carved in relief and set amongst decorative foliage, most of which is found around the churchyard and has religious significance. The circular form of the bowl and its decoration allude to the passage of time from daybreak to nightfall and through the seasons. The foliage depicted begins, facing the west door, with the snowdrop (purity) and violet (humility); the gilded rays of the rising sun shine through lime leaves. In January and February a carpet of snowdrops is a feature of the churchyard and in spring, violets grow in the shade of the yew trees. Oak leaves and acorns convey strength and faith and the vine, with its clear Christian symbolism, also refers to summer and then the autumn’s rich harvest. Yew foliage and berries suggest the close of the year and are joined by a rising dove and a star. The orientation of the font allows the words “Let your light so shine” with the gilded sun behind to be seen immediately on entering the church. The text continues around the bowl past the south window and “Glorify your Father which is in heaven” will be highly visible on leaving the church from the altar towards the west door. A section of green Cumbrian slate, carved to represent a river with fish, will stand between the existing column and the new bowl, thus creating a distinct separation between the original and the new components of the font. The carved fish provide, amongst other symbolism, a clear reference to St Andrew, and the river to the Bourne Rivulet which runs on the east side of the churchyard.” Marilyn Smith, Carver and Gilder Timeline for the Life of the New Font28 Jun 2002 - Much concern about the aesthetic state and safety of the old Font which now has a crack on its lip. Font expert, Andrew Ball MSc, visited and reported that, while the old Font could be repaired by conservation techniques, this would initially cost over £1500 and even more when the three rusted iron cramps were removed and internal damage assessed. The report recommends that it would be better to put the money towards commissioning a new Font for the Church. 30 Sep 2003 - Marilyn Smith offers to carve the new Font bowl. Sep-Dec - Preliminary drawings by Marilyn for the Font bowl around the text, Matthew 5.16. 26 Mar 2004 - Presentation by Marilyn of preliminary ideas for the new Font after the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Jan 2005 - Sample limestone panel carved to demonstrate the character of the proposed lettering and decoration. 2 Feb - Meeting with Michael Morris, representing the Diocesan Advisory Committee. Chilmark limestone proposed for the new bowl. Sep-Nov - Marilyn carves scale model for presentations to PCC and DAC. 2 Dec - PCC resolves unanimously to proceed with the new bowl. 11 Jan 2006 - Presentation of the model and plans at DAC: Approval given, suggesting the bowl is a carved little larger than originally proposed. Mar - Roundel of Cumbrian green slate for the ‘river’ layer ordered by Marilyn from Francis Buchanan, Wandsworth. Cost £726. 2006-7 - A variety of local Fund Raising events and gifts – Barn Dance, Jane Austen Lecture, Bridge Lunch, Champagne Tasting:– including on 8-9th July 2006, the ‘Harry Plunket Greene in Hurstbourne Priors’ Weekend; donations from Scottish Country Dancing, a number of very generous individuals, including the late Jean Baverstock and her family. Estimates for the cost are: £1875 for the bowl, £2130 for carriage and installation when finished, and removal of the old Font. 12 Apr 2007 - Delivery of the limestone, weighing about half a ton, cut and shaped by Wessex Dimensional Stone, from the Teffont Quarry, Chilmark, to Marilyn’s workshop in Hurstbourne Priors. Carving begins. 5 Jun - Faculty (legal) approval for the installation of the new Font. Aug 2008 - Carving of the bowl and roundel completed, subject to finishing touches to be added in situ. 8-9 Sep - Installation of the new Font in St Andrew’s Church by Richard Deane Stonemasonry. 17 Sep - Burial with prayers of the old Font in Hurstbourne Priors Churchyard. 28 Sep - Gilding finished. Dedication of the Font at Evensong. 5 Oct - First Baptism in the Font – Rufus James Adeney. 21 Oct - Blessing of the Font by the Bishop of Martin Coppen Parochial Church CouncilThe method and appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules and all Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and to stand for election to the PCC. PCC members from 11th February 2011 are:
The Standing Committee is the only committee required by law and is composed of the Vicar, two Churchwardens, the Secretary and the Treasurer. Annual Report & Financial Statement for 2010A copy of the Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2010 of the Parochial Church Council may be downloaded by clicking on the following link: Annual Report & Financial Statement for 2010Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format, 392 KB (estimated download time using 56k modem is 78 seconds) Click to open the document in a new window. Right-click for saving options.  click here for printable page
 Click here to download Adobe's Free Acrobat ReaderPage last edited on 7 Aug 2011 © Hurstbourne Priors Parish Council Assisted by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council |
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