Pilgrims & Walkers

Our churches each offer something unique and personal and are close to the ancient and popular Ridgeway path. Pilgrims & walkers, families & friends - we welcome thousands of visitors throughout the year.

All our churches are open for prayer, mediation and reflection everyday in daylight hours.

St Marys, Aldworth

Located just off the Ridgeway, our church is open with hundreds of visitors each year.

The church holds its own fund-raising events: a variety of concerts and, every week, during the summer months, well attended afternoon teas attract visitors from far and wide.  Other major visitor attractions include the well maintained and famous Aldworth Giant Effigies of the De La Beche family in the church itself.

Featured
Aldworth tree.jpg
The Aldworth Yew
untitled-7692.jpg
The Aldworth Giants

St Clement’s Ashampstead

Tranquil and located just south of Aldworth & west of Basildon. Our church contains some spectacular medieval wall paintings that attract visitors from far and wide. 

The Church was built as a retreat for the Benedictine Abbey of Lyre in France during the 12th Century.  At that time the Abby’s illustrators & Scriptorium were famous. Bearing witness to the abbey’s vitality and prestige by the quality of the illuminated manuscripts they produced. These are now conserved in libraries throughout Europe.

St Clement’s & it’s wall paintings date from a time when the monks also undertook rebuilding at the abbey, sadly in 1188 this was destroyed in a fire.

Featured
untitled-7708.jpg
The Ashampstead Wall Paintings

St Clement’s, at Ashampstead was built for the Benedictine Abbey of Lyre, France in the 12th century.

During the 12th Century the Abby’s Scriptorium was very active, bearing witness to the abbey’s vitality and prestige by the quality of the illuminated manuscripts it produced and which are now conserved in libraries throughout Europe.

In the mid-12th century the monks also undertook rebuilding at the abbey, but in 1188 it was destroyed in a fire, St Clement’s & it’s wall paintings date from this time.

St+Clements+Ashampstead.jpg
Pilgrims, Walkers & St Clement’s

St Clement’s, has been a destination for pilgrimage & prayer at Ashampstead since it was built by the Benedictine Abbey of Lyre, France in the 12th century.

Within the parish there are 47 paths offering walks and rides through differing terrains such as ancient woods and coppices, across fields and along ancient drove roads.

St Stephens, Basildon

PC060247.JPG

The Ideal away day space

St. Stephen’s Church Centre

In glorious West Berkshire Countryside, Excellent for small or large groups, workshops, retreats, lectures, music, lunches, parties & celebrations.

find out more

Footpaths, Bridleways and Byways,

UP-COMING EVENTS IN THE BENEFICE

Featured
Tiddlers Group
May 2
Tiddlers Group

Our weekly play session for babies and toddlers meets on Thursday mornings in St Stephen’s Upper Basildon during term time. We start at 9.30 and it’s a wonderful time for the little ones and their carers to come together for play, craft and yummy snacks too finishing at 11am.

Post Office @ St Stephens
May 3
Post Office @ St Stephens

Post Office in the church centre at Basildon. Most Post Office services available plus local free range eggs, and books.

8.30am Holy Communion @ Aldworth
May 5
8.30am Holy Communion @ Aldworth

St Mary's

A short said service of Holy Communion using the tradition Book of Common Prayer format. We enjoy a said service this week, with scriptures, prayers and a sermon. A perfect way to begin a Sunday morning in worship.

10am Family Communion Service @ Basildon
May 5
10am Family Communion Service @ Basildon

St Stephen’s,

An informal and friendly service where we sing worship songs, hear the inspiring words of Scripture and pray for one another and the needs of the world. We enjoy a short talk and we welcome children and families to be fully part of the service. After the service we enjoy wonderful refreshments which are always yummy!

10am Family Communion @ Ashampstead
May 5
10am Family Communion @ Ashampstead

This week we gather for a Family Communion service with short readings and sermon, plus some well known hymns. Bring the whole family as we gather around the Lord’s table. We look forward to seeing you.

Tiddlers Group
May 9
Tiddlers Group

Our weekly play session for babies and toddlers meets on Thursday mornings in St Stephen’s Upper Basildon during term time. We start at 9.30 and it’s a wonderful time for the little ones and their carers to come together for play, craft and yummy snacks too finishing at 11am.

Post Office @ St Stephens
May 10
Post Office @ St Stephens

Post Office in the church centre at Basildon. Most Post Office services available plus local free range eggs, and books.

8.30am Holy Communion @ Ashampstead
May 12
8.30am Holy Communion @ Ashampstead

St Clement’s

We gather at 8.30am for a short said communion service using the words of the wonderful Book of Common Prayer. The service will include a short sermon, and plenty of time to pray, reflect and encounter God in this wonderful place. What a brilliant way to begin a Sunday - especially as there is coffee and biscuits served afterwards.

10am Morning Praise @ Basildon
May 12
10am Morning Praise @ Basildon

St Stephen’s,

An informal and friendly service where we sing worship songs, hear the inspiring words of Scripture and pray for one another and the needs of the world. We enjoy a short talk and we welcome children and families to be fully part of the service. After the service we enjoy wonderful refreshments which are always yummy!

6pm Evensong @ Aldworth
May 12
6pm Evensong @ Aldworth

St Mary's

This is a fabulous way to round off the weekend. We gather together in the atmospheric St. Mary’s Aldworth to pray and worship together using the traditional and powerful words of Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer. We have a small community choir to help us sing God’s praise. There is a short sermon with prayers and psalms. If you are looking for a spiritual encounter with the Lord in the comfort of a traditional service - this is for you.