Hengoed with Gobowen, Chirk Road, Gobowen, Shropshire

 

Priest in charge:

Revd. Adrian Bailey

The Vicarage

Old Chirk Rd

Gobowen

Shropshire

SY11 3LL

Tel/fax No 01691 661226

E-mail: arb2@totalise.co.uk

Please click on the area you want to look at:

Sunday morning services

4th Sunday in the month at 8.00 a.m. Communion (without hymns)

1st Sunday of the month at 11 a.m. Informal Family Service

2nd and 3rd Sundays of the month at 11 a.m. Communion

4th Sunday of the month at 11 am: Morning prayer

5th Sunday of the month at 11am: Ecumenical service. Check venue first in the community magazine, the Gobowen Roundabout

 

Sunday evening services

3rd Sunday at 6.30pm: Evening prayer

1st and 5th Sundays at 6.30pm: Communion

 

Midweek services

Every Thursday at 9.30 a.m. Communion Service.

2nd Monday of the month at 1.30pm: Sparklers service for pre-school children

Please join us at any of our Services-you would be welcome. Our services usually follow the modern rites but the Sunday evening services follow the traditional rites. Coffee is usually served after the Sunday morning service and the Thursday morning service.

At special festivals (e.g. Christmas, Easter, and other special occasions) there may be additional services, and the Sunday programme may be slightly different. Full details will be published in the community magazine, The Gobowen Roundabout.

We at All Saints are a Christian Church and because we are, we are united under the belief:

 

That there is a God, and in the beginning He created the heavens, the earth and everything in it.

(Genesis 1)

 

That people rebelled against God, so we need to turn back to him again.

(Genesis 3)

 

That Jesus Christ came to show us the way back to God.

(John 3:16-17)

 

That at first people did not believe Jesus was the Son of God

(Mark 14:61-65)

 

But Jesus' teachings, and his subsequent death and resurrection proved that He was God’s Son.

(Acts of the Apostles 10:38-43)

(John 14:6)

 

That through His Spirit Jesus is still working in our world today

(John 16: 7-15)

 

That those who believe and trust in Jesus will be forgiven, live a better life now and enjoy the next life with him in eternity.

(Romans 10:9)

 

 

All Saints' vision statement:

 

All Saints is a community of Christians bound together in love and faith to learn, mature and work with each other as we serve those in the wider community and share our faith with them.

If you want information on someone who was baptised, married or was buried at St Barnabas Hengoed or All Saints Gobowen we will try to help you and if necessary provide a certified copy of marriage or baptism.

 

Please note that in accordance with normal Church of England practice a fee is payable for searches and copies of certificates. Contact the priest in charge for such requests: arb2@totalise.co.uk

All Saint's Church hall is situated in the ground of the church. It is available for bookings for most functions and has a fully equipped kitchen.

 

Hire cost per session (i.e. morning, afternoon, or evening): £16

Hire cost for all day booking                                          £48

 

Contact Olwen Owen, the secretary, on 01691 650612.

 

If you are interested in being confirmed, or would like to find out more about the Christian faith, then All Saints usually runs at least two Alpha courses (as seen on TV) per year. Contact The Revd Adrian Bailey for the latest details arb2@totalise.co.uk

If you live in Hengoed or Gobowen, it's usually possible to be baptised at All Saints. If you don't live in Hengoed or Gobowen you would have to show a connection, and a baptism could only go ahead if the vicar in the parish where you live gave permission.

The baptism of babies and young children usually take place during our informal family service at 11am on the first Sunday of the month. Guests coming to the service who are not used to church often find this more user-friendly than a communion service. However, if this is difficult for you for whatever reason, we are happy to consider having a baptism at one of our other 11am Sunday services.

Preparation sessions are held with the parents beforehand to help them to understand the implications of the promises they will be making.

For older children and adults who want to be baptised, a lengthier preparation is usual.

The baptism service, and the promises you will be making, can be viewed on the Church of England web site, www.cofe.anglican.org

 

To apply, please contact The Revd Adrian Bailey arb2@totalise.co.uk

 

All Saint's church is a perfect venue for your wedding. Not only will you have a warm welcome, but the traditional stone-built design, the award-winning churchyard (one of the best kept in Shropshire), and the light and airy interior make it perfect for photos. Having God's blessing on your wedding is the best way to start married life.

If at least one partner lives in Hengoed or Gobowen and neither of you has been married before, you should normally be able to get married at All Saint's. In accordance with the Church of England's practise, those who have been married and divorced cannot normally be remarried in church. However in certain cases, providing certain conditions are met, an exception can be made.

We are also happy to conduct services of blessing- both for those who have just got married in a civil ceremony and also for those who were married years ago but want their marriage blessed.

The marriage service, and the promises you will be making, can be viewed on www.cofe.anglican.org. www.weddingguideuk.com  is another useful site for making your wedding preparations.

To apply, please contact The Revd Adrian Bailey arb2@totalise.co.uk

 

On 16th August 1849 the foundation stone was laid for St Barnabas Church, Hengoed. Built and designed by the Revd Albany Rossendale Lloyd, the church was built of stone and strengthened with buttresses, between which were Lancet shaped windows. The roof had a long pitch constructed of rafters.

 

The church was opened for Divine Service on the feast of St Barnabas, 11th June 1850. It was not consecrated until 15th August 1853. A North Transept was added in 1855 and in 1871 a stained glass window was installed in the transept in memory of Albany Rossendale Lloyd's father, the Revd Charles A.A. Lloyd, who had been Rector of Whittington and Selattyn. The window was called 'The dawning of the last day' by Ashwin of London. In 1873 a bell turret was erected which housed three bells. The Revd Albany Rossendale Lloyd built Hengoed Vicarage close to the church. He was the first Incumbent, and served the people of Hengoed for 42 years. He died on 23rd March 1895 and is buried in the churchyard.

 

In 1950 the centenary was celebrated. In 1975 a flower festival was held to celebrate the 125th anniversary. But a devastating quinquennial survey that year uncovered dry rot in the timbers. On 20th May 1979 the last service took place. On 1st June it officially closed. A legal battle to save it was lost and on 4th January 1985 it was demolished. It had served the community for 135 years.

 

Today St Barnabas churchyard is a peaceful place to visit. The font remains as a memorial, standing on a base of stone, one of which is the original foundation stone. Further information can be obtained on 01691 658876.

All Saints Church Gobowen was consecrated in June 1928. Previously the Parish Church was St Barnabas Hengoed, so Gobowen became a daughter church. The parish was in the Diocese of St Asaph prior to the disestablishment of the Welsh church when it became part of the Diocese of Lichfield.

 

The chancel and the main part of the nave were erected first, including a vestry at the east end. Then the west end was added, a tower in 1935, and a belfry in 1948. In December 1979 it was burned down and all that was left was the choir vestry, four walls and tower. It was rebuilt and in October 1981 rededicated by the Bishop of Lichfield.

 

It is worth noting the East Window which was designed by Lawrence Lee, and also the West Window which was donated from a redundant church near London in memory of a previous incumbent and his wife. The Royal coat of Arms was removed from St Barnabas Hengoed when it was declared redundant. Also worth noting is the Maquette of the Virgin Mary and child given in memory of a member of the congregation who worked for many years at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District hospital, which lies within the parish. The Millennium window is also worthy of mention since many of the congregation contributed to the painting and design. The Reredos of the Last Supper was also given by the parish for the Millennium.

Organisations for children/young people

 

Sparklers for pre-school Children and parents

This meets on the second Monday of the month from 1.45 to 3pm. First there is a short informal service in church, including a Bible story, songs and simple prayers. Then there is an activity on the theme of the story in the church hall and refreshments.

Sparklers started in 1996 and all pre-school children and parents/carers are welcome. Older children are also welcome during school holidays.

 

Acorns (Sunday School) for primary school age children

This meets on Sundays during term time at 11am in the church hall, every Sunday apart from the first Sunday of the month. On some 5th Sundays of the month it may not meet if there is an ecumenical service elsewhere (see list of services above).

 

 

Other activities for children and young people

In 2006 special children's activity days are being run every month. Full details are in the Gobowen Roundabout.

 

Usually there is an outing to the seaside in the summer for children.

 

 

Organisations for parents/families

 

Coffee drop in

On Mondays from 9-10am during term time parents meet in the church hall for coffee. Children are welcome too. It's a chance to catch up on news and to support each other during any bad times.

 

Mother's union

The Mother's union (MU) is a world-wide organisation which exists to promote and strengthen family life and Christian marriage. Details of it's history and aims can be found on it's website.

All Saint's Hengoed with Gobowen members meet at 2.30pm on the 4th Sunday of the month in the church hall. They attend Holy Communion together on the first Thursday of the month at 9.30am.

 

 

Organisations which serve the community 

Lunch club

The lunch club meets every other Monday from 12-1pm in the Church Hall. The nutritious meals are low cost.

People come from all over the village and are aged from a few months old to 80+. The food is good but the best thing is the fellowship.

Organisations concerned with deepening Christian faith

There is a Bible study group in the church hall every Friday from 2-3.30pm. There is usually a Study course during Lent and sometimes groups at other times studying a particular theme. Additionally there are courses run on a deanery basis (i.e. the Oswestry and district area) which serve a number of churches. Contact The Revd Adrian Bailey arb2@totalise.co.uk for the latest information.