Services

In normal times, Holy Ascension holds united morning services for all seven Parishes on the first and third Sundays of the month and also is used for concerts and fund-raising events for the Benefice.

Contact:
The Church Office, tel. 01451 831424

The Church

Holy Ascension is Oddington’s winter church (and spring and autumn too): in summer, and on his name day, the congregation moves down the track from Lower Oddington to St Nicholas. It was this journey, especially long for villagers from Upper Oddington, that led to the 1850 decision, by the 29-year old rector William Wiggin, to build a new church where the villages meet.

Holy Ascension was designed by S. W. Daukes and consecrated in 1852: it is built of stone in a 13th century Early English style and stands behind a sturdy wall and hedge. Entrance is from the north porch. on which perches a bellcote with one bell – and a clock; there are two more bells (sadly not in working order) in the turret over the chancel arch.

Inside, the church is big and has benefited from a substantial modernisation and reordering designed by Matthew Hollingsworth and completed in 2012. It is now a church centre for our seven parishes. The new stone floor has underfloor heating and the pews have been replaced by chairs, allowing the building to hold both services and benefice events.

Around it a large north aisle opens onto a wide nave and spacious chancel which is large empty. The windows are all stained glass – in memory of members of the rector’s family, of the Reades (the then owners of the manor), and of others. The effect, when the sun is shining, is brilliant, but at other times the church. under the brown ceilings of the nave and chancel, was formerly quite dark – despite ninety gilded bosses on the chancel ceiling. The new stone floor and modern lighting system has changed this atmosphere.

At the west end of the nave there is a fine memorial window to a 28-year old, killed in action at the 1914 battle of the Aisne, the 7th son of Captain William Johnson. It features St George and St Louis – and the banners of gentleness, goodness. courage and peace. St Louis the Crusader king of France (1226-70) was brother-in-law to Henry III (who worshipped at St Nicholas’). It is now stands above light-oak storage units and a matching coffee bar which is used for refreshments after most services.