Barnham Parish Information
Families are welcomed and encouraged at St Gregory's with one All Age Worship service and one Family Communion service monthly in both of which children play an active part. Every member ministry is promoted and the laity are much involved in the running of services. We support a number of charities at home and overseas. The clergy are an integral part of the life of the excellent C of E primary school and hold regular church services for the school. A monthly Pram Service for mothers, babies and toddlers is held in the house of one of the church wardens and has brought several young families into the life of the church with a number of christenings and confirmations resulting. Occasional alternative services are also held including healing services, commemoration at All Saintstide for the bereaved and most recently, a service of Thanksgiving for Marriage with renewal of vows so popular that the church was packed! The Church congregation is very ecumenical. During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we hold a week-day service attended by people from all denominations and also an annual Methodist service. There are two Methodists on the PCC, one of whom is a church warden, and the Treasurer is a Roman Catholic. Altogether we feel that the life of our church reflects and is part of the community in which we live and we are constantly aware that mission relates to all who live in the village and beyond.
State Electoral Role 419. Average Church attendance is 25.
Barnham Church stands in the middle of the village and with its churchyard surrounded by lime trees it is a popular venue for weddings. The village has many old and listed houses which have led it to be designated a Conservation Area. PCC members were unanimous in thinking that Barnham is a friendly and harmonious community in which established residents are willing to welcome newcomers who could soon be integrated if they so desire. It has a good socio-economic mix and a wide age-range. It is a busy parish with a good deal going on but no rivalry between organizations. Many of these are centered on the much-used Village Hall, for example, the WI, regular ballet classes, a pre-school club, the Over-Sixties and the two drama societies which produce excellent plays and pantomimes; it is also the venue for the annual Village Fete. Concerts are held regularly in both the Village Hall and the Church which plays a definite part within the whole community. Churchgoers are involved with these organizations and also with the recently formed youth Cricket Club and the Air Training Corps based at RAF Barnham. For several summers the cadets have done sterling work clearing and tidying the churchyard. The local pub, The Grafton Arms, is on the A134.
State Electoral Role 419. Average Church attendance is 25.
Barnham Church stands in the middle of the village and with its churchyard surrounded by lime trees it is a popular venue for weddings. The village has many old and listed houses which have led it to be designated a Conservation Area. PCC members were unanimous in thinking that Barnham is a friendly and harmonious community in which established residents are willing to welcome newcomers who could soon be integrated if they so desire. It has a good socio-economic mix and a wide age-range. It is a busy parish with a good deal going on but no rivalry between organizations. Many of these are centered on the much-used Village Hall, for example, the WI, regular ballet classes, a pre-school club, the Over-Sixties and the two drama societies which produce excellent plays and pantomimes; it is also the venue for the annual Village Fete. Concerts are held regularly in both the Village Hall and the Church which plays a definite part within the whole community. Churchgoers are involved with these organizations and also with the recently formed youth Cricket Club and the Air Training Corps based at RAF Barnham. For several summers the cadets have done sterling work clearing and tidying the churchyard. The local pub, The Grafton Arms, is on the A134.