All Saints' Church
Services
Currently these are held twice a month, on the second and last Sunday. Worship on the last Sunday of the month takes the form of a Family Communion at 9.30 am; the second Sunday of the month is an Evensong service at 6.00 pm. Please come and join us. During the year there are occasional services for the whole benefice held at All Saints'.
Click here to see details of this month's services.
Rector
The Rector for the Mid-Test Benefice is Reverend Joe Sweetnam.
The ministry team can be contacted at [email protected]
Click here to read the Rector's monthly letter to the benefice.
Churchwardens
All Saints' has two Churchwardens:
Michael Woodhall - [email protected] 01264 810500
Iona Priestley - [email protected] 01794 388015
​Bell Ringing
We have a team of Bell Ringers who, with help from other bell ringers in nearby villages, can ring for most major services. There are weekly bell ringing practices on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. New ringers are always welcome. If you’d like to find out more or have a go (without an audience!) - please phone or message Jenny Hebburn on 07463 639455
Bell Ringing groups from round the country also visit All Saints'. Any groups interested in visiting to ring bells should contact Jenny Hebburn.
Weddings
Weddings at All Saints' continue to be popular, with several booked in during 2021. For more information, please contact the Rector (see above). Bells can be rung before and/or after the service - please contact Jenny Hebburn (see above) if you'd like bells at a wedding.
Events
All Saints’ is involved in various fund-raising events throughout the year and has an active Parochial Church Council (PCC).
Church Cleaning Rota
This team keeps the church on sparkling form. If you could offer to join the rota, please contact Sheryl Williams - [email protected] - 01794 389636.
History of the church
All Saints’ dates from the 12th century. Evidence of an earlier church were found during the nineteenth century alterations. The font is probably twelfth or thirteenth century. It stands on a square base of Purbeck marble. The cover, which is modern, was designed by Sir Gilbert Scott, and was given in 1886. Near the altar rails can be seen the tomb of James Sessions, the rector who was ejected by the Commonwealth Parliament in 1650. The earliest recorded Rector of Houghton was John Clavel in 1259. A spire was added to the tower in 1890. The £128 cost was raised by the landowners. In recent years over £100,000 has been spent on essential repairs, together with the installation of a new peal of bells.
All Saints' Houghton is part of the Mid-Test Benefice which comprises the parishes of Broughton, Bossington, Houghton, Leckford, Longstock, Mottisfont and Stockbridge.
