St Nicholas Church

St Nicholas, Bishop’s Sutton, is a beautifully simple Norman Church with 13^th century Gothic additions.  It is set in the centre of the village with trees and fields surrounding.  The plain, uncomplicated interior makes for an unfussy, but much loved, place of worship.  The church has excellent acoustics and is regularly used for concerts.  It benefits from the recent installation of a new organ.  The pattern of monthly worship is generally two Services of Holy Communion, one of BCP and one of Family Holy Communion followed by refreshments;  a Service of BCP Matins;  and a BCP Evensong, sometimes with a guest choir. 

The congregation is a warm, friendly church family, caring, sharing and chatty.  The number of people attending regularly has grown steadily, especially in the last six years. There is a good participation with sidesmen, readers, and a team of artistic ladies who create beautiful flower arrangements.  The churchyard is well cared for by friends of the church.  All church festivals and events are wholeheartedly celebrated.  All the joy of Advent, with a fun Christingle, is enjoyed by many families.  A formal and poignant Easter is very well attended; a Service of All Souls, with prayers and comfort for all those who have lost loved ones, was introduced about six years ago and has been a huge success, very well attended and requested by many.  Harvest Festival is important in this village setting of farms.  It is looked forward to and enjoyed by all of the parishioners, with food, drinks and music for thanksgiving.  Remembrance Day is also extremely important with the loss of a significant number of young men from the village and many families affected. 

St Nicholas is currently involved in a major re-roofing programme and is well on the way to raising the necessary funds.  This is also proving to be an opportunity to involve a wider range of villagers, leading to further growth of the congregation and church family.  We hope to promote the educational potential of the church by befriending and encouraging the interests of local teachers and schoolchildren in art, drama, history, religious education and music.

We have a terrific team who care enormously for every aspect of St Nicholas church and are pleased to support and assist its future growth and success in every way, under the loving and caring leadership of the Reverend Amber Beresford.

Angela White (01962 736483) and Lucinda Chetwode are St Nicholas’s Churchwardens.  This is Angela’s eighth year as Churchwarden and Lucinda’s second.  Angela is a retired medical secretary/pharmacy dispenser whose life now revolves around family life and grandchildren. Lucinda, originally from Yorkshire, came down to Hampshire from Scotland.  She is an art historian and lecturer, antiques dealer and charitable trustee.

Mandy Caldwell joined the PCC as Secretary after a few years of organising concerts and events for St Nicholas, which she continues to do, along with playing the organ and supporting the Churchwardens when necessary.

Note: Bishop’s Sutton has its own web address (domain name) that can also be used to reach this site: bishopssuttonchurch.org.uk

St Nicholas Church – Photo Gallery