About Us
History
The first church on this site was built in 963, making it one of the oldest churches in England. The history of the present building begins in the 13th century with the erection of the nave and chancel. Notice the angle of the nave relative to the chancel. Together they represent the figure of Christ on the Cross. The church is listed by Historic England as Listed Grade II*.
The tower dates from the 15th century. There were two bells. One remains; the other was recast in 1606. Two more were added in 1616. Today there are a total of four bells in the church tower, although they are not in use for bellringing. More details about the bells, bell frame and tower are here. The masonry covers that protect the ends of the massive timber beams that protrude outside the tower are most unusual - and have been described as 'excrescences'. Some of these massive beams are internal only and are embedded in the Tower walls, while most of them protrude externally at both ends, or in one case only at one end.
The church was restored in the 1950s. The organ was added in 1977 in celebration of HM The Queen's Jubilee. There is a sheet providing more details of our history and details of the graveyard inside the church for visitors. Three of the monuments in the graveyard are listed. The church is always open for visitors [except if closed for safety reasons during some maintenance inspections/works].
There is a Memorial Book in the church that you are welcome to look through, and please let us know any updates that are needed. There are also two framed displays showing the large number of local people who fought during each World War. The names shown in a different colour died during their service.
We also have a Cemetery, and the local War Memorial, about a mile away in Hilcott at
https://w3w.co/chucked.gathering.bleak behind small metal gates on the northern side of the road from North Newnton through Hilcott towards Woodborough and Bottlesford, just after a pond on the left, but before a bus stop on the right. There is a display board just inside the gates showing all known graves. We hold a short Act of Remembrance in the Cemetery at 3pm on Remembrance Sunday; to which all are welcome.
Welcome
We are a friendly, active, welcoming church, rooted in and serving our wider community. Please come and visit us any time to enjoy this peaceful and tranquil place, in an iconic setting, nestled by the chalk stream River Avon, mill stream, and weirs near the local trout farm and many local footpaths (Sarsen Way, .
Please help yourself to hot and cold drinks any time you are passing or visiting. We keep the church open 24/7 for walkers, runners, cyclists, visitors to the graveyard, or for sightseeing, or study of architecture - we have some very rare features on the church tower where the stonework protects the massive timber belfry beams which protrude outside the tower walls.
There is an accessible toilet and baby change station in the churchyard, on the North wall of the Tower. If the portaloo has been locked, use Key Code 892 [also on small notice on refreshments table by the Organ]. The toilet is twinned with a toilet in South Sudan.
Find us - w3w.co/movie.curtail.brambles [Church]
Find us - w3w.co/chucked.gathering.bleak [Hilcott Cemetery]
Donate - https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/Q4B5WUOG
Regular/one off donations & gift aid - Parish Giving Scheme
More - valeofpewsey.org/north-newnton
Team Magazine (monthly) www.valeofpewsey.org/messenger
Team News (weekly) www.valeofpewsey.org/church-news/weekly-news/
Team Safeguarding policy & contacts www.valeofpewsey.org/safeguarding
Please text or WhatsApp +44 7941388852 if you have any questions, concerns or notice any supplies are running low, or find errors / omissions in this website. Many thanks.