Facilities and features
Accessibility
The church is mostly on the level and wheelchair friendly with wide doorways.
We are only a few yards away from the Number 5 bus stops "Summers Street", these run approximately every 10-15 minutes. ( 20 minutes on Sundays)
We have Coeliac members of the congregation, so we can provide Gluten-free Communion wafers and refreshments. Please do let us know on arrival if you will require GF wafers for a Eucharist service.
Assistance dogs are always welcome, and well-behaved pets too.
One of our toilet areas is larger with room for a standard wheelchair, and has handrails.
No car park on site but there is street parking nearby, (please check local restrictions), or parking (for concerts etc) at the Outlet Centre (5 minutes walk away, parking charge).
We have large print hymn books and service books available. Some of our services are on the screen.
Portable changing table available for use in one of the toilet areas.
Our Building
We are a grade 2* listed building.
We have a separately heated Parish Room, and a new general heating system for the main church building.
You can read more about our stained glass here: https://staugustines-swindon.co.uk/history/stained-glass/
2 modern toilet areas.
Music and Worship
We only have one bell - but have several people to help ring it. The bell is rung before our Sunday and Wednesday services, as well as for special services (such as Midnight Mass), National events, Weddings and Funerals when requested.
With a large, flexible space, coloured lighting and great acoustics, St Augustine's is an ideal venue for concerts and live music! We have regularly hosted over the years; Makin' MuZic- The Zurich Community Choir, The Ukey D'Ukes - live Ukelele Rock Band, Organ Recitals, fashion shows, Murder Mystery evenings and most recently " Billy & Louie's Christmas Concert".
In September 2022, an opportunity arose to replace the Coventry Organ which was developing some minor electrical faults due to its age. The new organ came from the home of Dr Judith Langfield in Bristol, and was built by the same firm as the Coventry Organ, Eminent Organs. The current organ consists of three manuals and 54 speaking stops.
Groups, Courses and Activities
We are "open house" on Saturday mornings from 9.30am -12pm, where anyone is welcome to pop in for a cuppa, have a look round the building, ask questions, light a candle or just enjoy the quiet of the church with some private prayer.
We hold a monthly Messy Church (except during August), on the third Saturday at 11am. Contact us for more details.
Help for Visitors
Tours of the building available by arrangement.
Church open an hour before services:
9:00am Sunday Morning (First and third Sundays of the month)
9:00am Wednesday Morning
as well as Saturday mornings from 9.30 until 12:00.
Well behaved dogs are welcome.
We are open Saturday mornings from 09:30-12:00 for general visiting, refreshments and private prayer.
Other Features
We support Swindon Food Collective and have a box for item donations which is collected regularly.
We use the screen at some services. We use the sound system when an organist is unavailable. We have a good audio visual facilities, and the church can be used for many different uses including conferences.
Our Parish Room is available for hire. Please contact us for more details.
We are beginning our eco church journey.