All Saints' Church

History

allsaints_church Throughout its history, Coleshill has been part of the parish of Amersham. The soil of the churchyard probably represents the unimproved ground of the original clearing on which Coleshill was founded. For 1000 years there was nothing to disturb the peace except the munching of cattle. As early as 1649 Coleshill people were expressing the wish to have a church of their own – ‘the inhabitants earnestly desiring the same’, as it was recorded, but they had to wait over 200 years before their desire was gratified.

Then the Lord of the manor gave a small triangle from the northern tip of the common to the churchwardens of Amersham to meet the wish expressed as long ago as 1649 for a church for the villagers of Coleshill.

Through the generosity of the Drake family and other local benefactors, the architect George Street, a distinguished exponent of neo-Gothic, was commissioned to design and build the church which was completed in 1856. The church has the beautiful proportions and unpretentious detail for which Street’s work is admired, and has been praised by Sir John Betjeman. The brick was made locally and the stone brought by river to Windsor, and thence by cart.

The two-manual pipe organ is considered to be a distinguished instrument and is constantly maintained in excellent order.

Rector	The Revd Tim Harper, MA, BMus, LRAM	Tel: 01494-724426 - click here to send email
Parish Administrator	Mrs Dorothy Potter	Tel: 01494-729380 - click here to send email
Church Wardens	Mrs Dumpy Swerling
	Patsy Wright-Warren
Parish Treasurer	Mr Dick Ware
Hon Secretary	Mr Chris Wege
Organist & Choirmaster	Mrs Ruth Murphy
Sacristan & Verger	Patsy Wright-Warren
Church Flowers	Mrs Catherine Green
St Mary's Church, Amersham		website

Details of services and times in the Parish of Amersham with Coleshill

St Mary’s	8.00 am	Holy Communion
All Saints’	9.00 am	Holy Communion
St Mary’s	10.15 am	Holy Communion
St Mary’s	11.45 am	Matins
All Saints’ (1st Sunday of month)	6.00 pm	Evensong
St Mary’s (Except 1st Sunday of month)	6.00 pm	Evensong

Coleshill Patch System

Coleshill being such a small village – population round about six thousand - it is a place where, by and large, everyone knows everyone. However there is quite a turnover of people and when new people move in, we like to make sure that they feel welcome. We have therefore set up a group of long term residents who know the village well and who make it their business to welcome people when they first move in, to give them a pack of information about the village - including details of all the village organisations, the church, the history and the footpaths - and to answer any questions. Newcomers are also invited to a party, which is usually held in alternate years, to meet representatives of all the village organisations that they might like to get involved with.

Where people have any problems, ill health, lack of transport, bereavement or other matters, someone from the team will visit them to see if there is any support that they can give to the person and their family.

Contact Teas

We started these teas about ten years ago. We got the idea from a national organisation. Ten drivers used to bring ten ladies and gentlemen who lived by themselves in London to tea at our farm every three months. We discovered that there were quite a few people who lived by themselves in Coleshill, so a group of us decided we would give it a go!

We usually have about eight or ten visitors, we take it in turns to host the tea party. We drive to pick up our visitors, and all the helpers give a contribution, so a scrumptious tea is provided without too much work for anyone. We often have one or two residents from Rushymead Residential Home.

Five years ago one of our visitors died and her son very kindly gave us a very generous cheque for everyone to have an outing. We hired a coach and went to see Romeo and Juliet at Wycombe Swan. A great time was had by all.

A member of our clergy team usually joins us for tea. We think we can safely say a good time is had by everyone on all occasions.
Dumpy Swerling and Helen Spencer

News from All Saints - Winter 2011

150th Anniversary of All Saints' Church

This significant anniversary fell on All Saints' Day so that we were able to celebrate both events in one. It was in 1861 that the petitioning of villagers, coupled with fund raising, eventually bore fruit and the new church was opened. Prior to that the village had no church and people had to trek down to St Mary's in Amersham.

Morning service on Sunday 6th November was followed by breakfast in the Village Hall and in the evening there was a Choral Evensong with the choir augmented from St Mary's.

Remembrance Sunday

The day before Remembrance Sunday was chosen for the annual Clear-up in the churchyard. No fewer than 14 members of the congregation turned up to rake up the dead leaves, cut back shrubs and tidy round the War Memorial. The result was that the churchyard looked its best for the next day. Thank you to all who helped.

The congregation nearly filled the church on Remembrance Sunday and took part in the ceremony around the Memorial. Perhaps this reflects the increasing concern which most of us feel for the losses and injuries suffered by our armed forces.

Churchyard Bonfire Heap

heap For many years little bits of material have been thrown onto the heap that has to be got rid of with periodic bonfires. This was no great problem. However the amount of cuttings and other garden waste from elsewhere has gradually grown and there is now an enormous heap waiting to be burned. If the villagers making use of the churchyard in this way would care to assist with the considerable work now needed, this would be greatly appreciated.

Chris Wege

Church Flowers - Winter 2011

flowers There have been several occasions when the Flower Team has had the opportunity to go to town on decorating the church. The first was the visit of Bishop Anthony Priddis, when we were all so delighted to see him back here again, then at Harvest Festival in October there were colourful displays of fruit and veg as well as flowers throughout the church, and Catherine Watts helped the school children to decorate the porch in their usual imaginative way.

Next came the Patronal Festival celebrating 150 years since the church was built, when the flowers were all white, followed by the Remembrance service with the poppies. Now we are sorting out who will do what at Christmas for our candlelit arrangements! In between, various members have been keeping the pedestal by the altar looking beautiful.

It is a pleasure to have such a lovely church to decorate and we are so fortunate in that new members have joined us in the past year. Many, many thanks to Rosemary Valentine, who has been sharing in the organisation, and to others who have volunteered for particular jobs.
Catherine Green

Details: Last Updated on Tuesday, 31 January 2012 08:50; Hits: 2105

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