Search

Type your text, and hit enter to search:
Close This site uses cookies. If you continue to use the site you agree to this. For more details please see our cookies policy.

West Wickham Church

West Wickham Church

Churchwardens

Marcus Cornish
Phone: 01223 290203
Email Marcus 

Diana Licence
Phone: 01223 290434
Email Diana


A History of St Mary’s Church, West Wickham

A church in West Wickham was recorded in the early 13th century but this was probably a wooden building.  The current church is made of flint and fieldstone rubble with limestone ashlar dressings.  Although the tower may be 13th century, the chancel, nave and south porch are all 14th century with architectural details and medieval glass, now missing but noted in the 18th century, suggesting an earlier 14th century date for the chancel. 

Windows were inserted in nave and chancel in the 15th and 16th centuries and the north chapel (now housing the organ) is probably a 15th century addition.  The tower was also raised and buttressed about this time to take bells.

The roof is late medieval but suffered storm damage in 1579 and 1608.  It was repaired in 1615 as the nicely decorated beam above the chancel arch testifies.  The north chapel was walled off from the nave by 1744 and was later used as a vestry.  By 1793, the tiling on the roof was so bad that rain poured in and services could not be held. The church was, however, put in good order by 1836 and a gallery was erected along the west wall in 1839 to accommodate a growing congregation.

The above information was provided by the West Wickham & District Local History Club

To watch a short video about West Wickham church please click on the image.

 
Glenys
Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello 

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

First Sunday of the Month
On the first Sunday of the month we gather for our united service held at Balsham church at 10:30am.  There is always a children’s church provided during each of these united services. Music is led by a choir, organ and music group.  There is also an Evensong on the first Sunday held at Little Abington church at 6pm. 

Second Sunday of the Month
On the second Sunday there are Communion services at Hildersham, Great Abington and West Wickham.  There is morning worship at Balsham and Weston Colville and a café church at West Wratting at 4pm.
 
Third Sunday of the Month
On the third Sunday there are Communion services at West Wickham, Balsham and Weston Colville, morning worship at Little Abington and café church at Hildersham at 4pm.
 
Fourth Sunday of the Month
On the fourth Sunday there are Communion services at Great Abington at 8am and West Wratting at 10:45am, a breakfast church at Great Abington from 9pm and an Evensong at Hildersham at 6pm. 

Where there is a fifth Sunday there will be a communion at [  ] and [  ]; and morning worship at [ ]

This pattern of services, however, will vary in the weeks prior to Christmas and Easter and details about these services will be on our website, in parish magazines and on church noticeboards. 


images: Services

What about my children?

Children are very welcome at all of our services but there are services where there is particular provision for them. 

On the first Sunday of every month we gather for our united service held at Balsham Church and during the service children and adults have the opportunity to continue exploring faith and the bible in the church hall. They then return in time to receive communion.

At West Wratting Café Church on the second Sunday of each month always begins with a child-friendly talk.  After this an invited speaker will give a talk to adults – and any children who wish to remain - in one part of the church, whilst children-friendly activities are led in another part of the church.

The Hildersham Café Church on the third Sunday of each month is an intentional all-age gathering where we engage with faith and scripture in a creative, informal way, including discussion and both ancient and contemporary hymns.  Children always play an important part in the readings, discussions and reflections.

The Abington Breakfast Church on the fourth Sunday of every month is also an all-age gathering where, after a shared breakfast, we listen to a story, engage with prayers stations and crafts, and share in a time of prayer and reflection.  There is also a creche available at this service.

Each month there is a Children’s Church Council, which usually meets in Hildersham or Abington.  The CCC reflects on faith, the bible and contemporary life, help to plan themes and activities for Sunday services and enjoys discussion, crafts and sometime nibbles and drinks!

Our children’s provision is led by members of the church community who are DBS checked.

Children

Getting Connected


Church Groups

We believe that home groups can play a vital role helping churches and discipleship to flourish.  These groups usually meet in someone’s home for study, discussion, prayer and fellowship. We have many different home groups within the Granta Vale Churches, ranging from bible study groups to theological reflection gatherings to prayer groups.  If you would like to know anymore about any of these groups, please do contact either Iain or Jeanine for more information.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the Granta Vale Churches you can learn more about how on out Get Involved page. 

Get in touch with us to plan your visit
If you would like to get in touch with us before your first visit. Get in touch and we will contact you and answer any questions you have.
 
Name:
Telephone:
Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.
 

Leadership 

IM   No Photo icon
Rev Iain McColl - Minister in Charge   Rev Kathy - Minister
Rev Iain has been the minister in charge of the Granta Vale Churches since 2018. Before he was a minister in the Church of England he was a corporate and commercial solicitor in London and Bristol. He enjoys football, cycling and swimming, loves theology and history and spending time with his wife and children.   Leader Intro
 
We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at Granta Vale Churches.

Best Wishes

iain