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Weston Colville Church

W Colville

Churchwarden

Ian Ashbridge
Contact Us


A short history of St Mary's Church, Weston Colville.
The village of Weston is mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 and added "Colville" in about 1200 because this was the name of the feudal lords who owned the principal manor. The Abbot of Ely and Lewes Priory in Sussex were the patrons of the church after it was built in the 11th Century.

Today, if you stand looking at the church from the road , none of the original church is evident , the oldest part being the 14th Century nave and south porch. On the left is the late Georgian tower rebuilt after the previous spire collapsed in 1823. It has been likened to a water tower! The chancel on the right is 19th Century and was built or rebuilt in the 1820s and again during a major restoration in the 1870s, when the vestry was added to the north of the chancel.

The ancient churchyard contains gravestones, mostly Victorian and later. Nearly the whole village before 1912, however, were agricultural labourers, whose families would not have been able to afford gravestone. They lie there in unmarked graves , only recorded in the parish register. 

There are several interesting features inside the church, including two brasses, an armorial hatchment and a brass wall plaque to the rural poet J.R.Withers (1812-92), who was born in Weston Colville. A recent discovery relates to the great east window behind the high altar, which was found to be created by the distinguished stained-glass artist George Measures Parlby (1856-1944), who worked for several famous firms. 

Information provided by Tim Cockerill, 2020.  

To watch a short video of Weston Colville church please click on the image above.
 

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