Little Brickhill Church set in the heart of the village
Little Brickhill Village
The parish is part of the Brickhills and Stoke Hammond United Benefice. The Church Records list the incumbents from the early 12th century to the present day.
The village contains fewer than 200 dwellings and a population of around 400. The main street (Watling Street) was, until the opening of a bypass in 1992, part of the Holyhead Road, the A5, with heavy traffic running through the middle of the village.
We now have a quiet village with a village hall which hosts a range of activity groups, a public house which serves food, a bed and breakfast and a small group of commercial enterprises. There is an active Residents’ Association, to which all village residents belong, and which organises a range of social activities throughout the year.
Primary school aged children generally attend High Ash C of E School in Great Brickhill. A mini-bus service provides transport.
The village is a popular place to live, with close access to main road and rail services.
Looking towards the pulpit, choir stalls and the altar
The Church Building
A place of worship has existed where the Parish Church now stands since the 11th century, but the present church building largely dates from the 14th century. It is built of ironstone rubble but was heavily ‘Victorianised’ by a local benefactor in the 19th century. It stands on a commanding rise in the centre of the village. The interior is not decorated, has few memorials but has a pleasing, much admired ambiance. Historians are interested in the mediaeval graffiti, the ancient Lepers squint and the Font, parts of which date from the 12th century. There is an Aumbry which can be used for reserving the Sacrament. The building has a pipe organ.
The church building is in a generally good condition but, as with all ancient buildings, it is a constant challenge to keep it in good repair.
A view from the pulpit towards the organ, the font and the entrance on the left
The Congregation and the Services
The core congregation varies from four to about fifteen people, excepting festivals when there can be fifty plus present. We currently have two regular services per month, a celebration of Holy Communion on the second Sunday and an All-age Family Service on the fourth Sunday. In addition to these there are special services at Easter, Mothering Sunday, Harvest, Remembrance Sunday and Christmas and we annually hold an All Souls’ service to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones.
We are a warm and welcoming group and are always pleased to welcome newcomers. After most of our services refreshments are served, together with a chance to chat with friends and neighbours.
We are always keen to involve the children and young people in the life of the church, in particular in our Family Services, at Easter, Harvest and Christmas, when special activities are organised.
No. on Electoral role: 13
Parish Share: Until recent years we have always met the required contribution. However, in recent years, due to falling income, this has become more challenging.
The Lady Chapel on the south aisle
The Church Wardens and the PCC
The PCC normally consists of the Rector, Church Warden and five other members and meets every two months. However, the Church Warden and Treasurer have just moved away from the parish, leaving vacancies for these posts and concern over the future management of the parish church.
Fund Raising is a constant topic and there is also much discussion of ways to increase the quality of worship and the numbers participating in Church Worship.
Our key priorities for the next 3 – 5 years are:
• Meet, welcome, engage, involve, sustain contacts with more village residents, including families.
• Enrol new PCC members and Church Warden(s)
• Make wider use of the church building – encourage community ownership and use of the church. Water and sewerage services on the site and accessibility are key to making any real difference with this.
• Look for opportunities for wider aspects of worship and spirituality in the village.
The PCC gives to selected charities and contributes to the Rector’s expenses. The churchwardens of the Benefice meet regularly to co-ordinate policy.
The Mission Action Plan
The Mission Action Plan was adopted in January 2023 - to download the MAP:- Click Here