The Church

The Church

The only surviving active church in the parish is St Andrew’s Church in Ogbourne St Andrew. The church nave dates from 1140 AD and the church chancel dates from the early 13th century. The church tower was added in about 1440. Significant alteration and restoration to the interior was carried out in the middle of the 19th century.

For a detailed history of the church visit: http://www.osahg.org.uk/detailed-church-history.html

A small, but lively(!), congregation joins in church services on a regular basis. Once a month we have a “café church” service which is a good way to meet the regulars and dip your toe in the water (metaphorically speaking). The service is informal, often with a wide-ranging discussion amongst the congregation on a topical issue. The service is rounded off with coffee and cakes and a chance to catch up on local gossip.

The church is linked to two other parishes in the area, Chiseldon and Ogbourne St George, to form what is known as The Ridgeway Benefice with the Reverend Roger Powell presiding. Roger is a brilliant local vicar so, even if you don’t want to come to church, you must meet Roger!

The day-to-day business of our local church is overseen by the Parochial Church Council (the PCC). As well as church maintenance, rotas etc, they also concern themselves with the future of the church and church finances. For some years now, the PCC has been exploring the possibility of reconfiguring the inside of the church and installing some facilities (eg toilets, kitchen etc.). The aim of such a reorganisation would be to refocus the church at the centre of the community by opening it up for a wider range of religious and secular activities. You can access the minutes of the PCC here.

Churchwardens at Ogbourne St Andrew are Roger Swan and Marion Gordon-Finlayson.

For information on church services, please see the Events page.

For more information on the whole Benefice, please visit this website www.ridgewaybenefice.org.