St. Mary, Bitton, Bristol

Description

A church of Anglo-Saxon origin on a Roman site, its most noticeable external feature is a fourteenth century perpendicular tower which provides a landmark identifiable from some distance.

A small but growing congregation attends regular services each Sunday, each with a different theme and content. A Celtic Communion is held on the fourth Thursday of the month, followed by a village tea and coffee morning. The church aims to be a centre for the whole community and provide a focus for events. It welcomes visitors as a quiet place for prayer or contemplation.

For a small village, the church is disproportionately large, but it was once the mother church to a parish covering much of this southerly tip of southeast Gloucestershire including Oldland, Hanham and Kingswood. It also marks the most southeasterly point of the ancient diocese of Worcester founded in 679 to serve the kingdom of the Hwicce, one of the sub kingdoms of Mercia. There is evidence that in the late Middle Ages it was the home to a small religious community occupying many of the older buildings around the church.

This has been a place of worship for well over a thousand years. People have gathered here in worship for well over a millennium leaving not just a spiritual legacy, but physical items that tell the story and form of Christianity in England. Among these are the remains of a large stone Saxon Rood (dated to around the year 1000) which must once have dominated the interior; and, in the chantry chapel, a decorated three seat Sedalia (1299). It was placed here by Thomas de Bytton, Bishop of Exeter, whose family held the manor of Bitton which later passed into church hands with prebendary rights given to Salisbury Cathedral. The aisleless Saxon nave leads to a chancel (dating from the 1490s) built by the prebendal rector, John Gunthorpe, which is particularly unusual. Its ceiling bosses telling the tale of St Mary of Egypt, while its tessellated floor, laid by the nineteenth century vicar, Canon Ellacombe, is copied from the church of S. Anastasia in Verona. Also not to miss are the Ellacombe Chimes, a chiming system invented at this church but later used the world over. The Ellacombes, father and son, who were vicars of the parish for 99 years between them, are responsible for much of the present order and decoration including individually carved oak pews.

The stories of the church objects and treasures can be accessed in the church using a smartphone and the openly available Wi-Fi. QR codes link the visitor to a set of audio descriptions explaining the objects and placing them in context.

The churchyard has a large number of table or chest tombs, most of which have been restored in recent years.

The church is open every day during British Summertime between 10 am and 5 pm approx. Access can be arranged at other times. Check our website for days when activities may be taking place.

The main Sunday service is at 10.30am (other then the 4th Sunday – Family Café Church - which begins at 9.30am). A service of communion is held on the 4th Thursday at 10am, followed by The Village Coffee Morning.

Location

Church Road, Bitton, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS30 6LJ, United Kingdom

Directions

Grid Reference: ST 68181 69340

By car: From Bath, Bitton is signposted on both the Upper and Lower Bristol Roads. Take the A431 NW from Bath, through the village of Kelston. You pass through the small hamlet of Swineford before reaching Bitton where the church tower can be seen from the road. At The White Hart (PH) turn left and the church is 150 metres on left. From Bristol, the two main options are the A4 or A420. In both instances you need to find your way to the A431, either by taking the right fork where the A431 splits from the A420, or from the A4 by taking the Avon Ring Road A4174 to Longwell Green where signs will direct you through Willsbridge to Bitton. Turn right at The White Hart (PH).

By public transport:
The most direct is to take the number 19 bus (now sadly not as frequent as it was) from Bath Bus Station located directly next to Bath Spa Railway station. Alight at The White Hart and take Church Road to the church. The 45 Bus runs from the centre of Bristol but terminates at Cherry Tree Gardens. There is then a 15 to 20 minute walk to the church.

On foot or cycle: The village is served by the Bristol and Bath Railway Path. This can be accessed at the former Bitton Railway Station (now Avon Valley Railway, where steam trains run) and is about a 20-minute walk or 5-minute cycle ride to the church along the A431 Bath Road as above. The Monarch’s Way footpath runs through the churchyard and links high above the village with the Cotswold Way.

Facilities

Access to the church is on level tarmaced paths. There is a step down into the church itself. A ramp is available for wheelchairs, but would need to be placed by an accompanying carer. There is a toilet suitable for wheelchair access when the church is open.

There is no car park, and visitors are asked to park considerately on the roads surrounding the church.

One of the nicest views of the church is from the Glebe Field which adjoins the churchyard and has a footpath accessed by a kissing gate.

There are no refreshments on site except by prior arrangement. The parish is served by three public houses: The White Hart in the village itself; The Swan at Swineford on the A431; and the Upton Inn at Upton Cheyney. There are two cafes: The Golden Valley Farm Shop and Café, in Golden Valley Lane and at The Fontill Garden Centre on the Bath Road in the direction of Willsbridge. There is also a village shop on The High Street.

Groups can be accommodated and guided tours provided by arrangement.
The Hospitaller's details are below but the church itself is able to receive correspondence by post at the church address. You can also contact the Benefice Administrator: BeneficeBittonSystonWarmley@outlook.com

Hospitaller/Contact Person

Jim Heavens

Mob: 07720 248534

Email:

Web Link

https://www.stmarysbitton.org.uk

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