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Silchester

Pamber Road,

Silchester,

Reading

RG7 2NY

Location map

Minister: Revd Ruth Whittard Email

Other contacts: Email either Kathy or Stuart

Church diary Quiet Days Information for preachers

Where are we?

In Silchester village, situated between the busy town of Reading on the north and Basingstoke to the south, there are two Churches, Silchester Methodist Church and St. Mary's Anglican Church.

Silchester Methodist Church is set on the edge of Silchester Common, at the junction of Kings Road, Pamber Road, Silchester Road and Soke road. the map reference is Easting 623, Northing 624.

There is a car-park at the rear of the church.

For a detailed map of where we are use Locator, entering Silchester and change the scale and map appearance as required.

The hall is a good size with modern amenities including a well fitted and well stocked kitchen. There is also a small lounge.

The premises are used regularly throughout the week for church and community activities.

We have ecumenical links with the local Parish Church and with Churches Together Around Tadley.

A brief history of the chapel

There was a windmill at the site of the chapel during the 18th Century. History prior to 1839 is scant but the first recorded Camp Meeting was held on May 31st,1807 and the first Class was formed in March 1810. In 1839 the first permanent chapel was built on the site. Why the chapel was built at the edge of the village has always been a bit of a mystery. Rumour has it that the Rector at the time, Revd. John Coles, chose to build the Crown Inn (now the Calleva Arms) at the village end of the common rather than have a chapel so close to the rectory! Since John Coles neglected the parish it is more likely that the Methodists had increased at the expense of the Parish Church. They were, therefore, banished to the edge of the village. A census on March 1851 records the numbers at the two services: afternoon; 123 adults, 40 children & evening; 174 adults. A manse was built onto the chapel in 1864, probably in anticipation of the Silchester Circuit created in 1866. The present church was built onto the 1839 chapel in 1927. The original chapel is now the hall.

Worship

Our services are held on Sunday mornings at 10.30.
We enjoy singing from both Hymns & Psalms and Songs of Fellowship Book.
After the service, which lasts for about one hour, refreshments are served in the
hall.

Midweek at our Church

Fellowship Meeting
On alternate Tuesday evening at 7.30 p.m. a small group of us meet in a member's home for prayer and Bible study, preceeded, of course, by a time of socialising over a cup of tea or coffee with biscuits! For more information email Nicola

Bright Hour
The Silchester Methodist Ladies Bright Hour meets on the second Wednesday of the month. All ladies are invited to attend for an afternoon of fellowship, sometimes with a guest speaker, and a cup of tea.
The meetings start at 2.30p.m. and take place in the hall to rear of our church.
For further information contact Stella tel. 0118 9700400

Youth

Urban Saints, previously known as Crusaders, is our Youth Activity on Friday evenings.
For more information please contact Angela tel. 01256 850432
Visit the national Urban Saints website.

Quiet Days in our Retreat Centre

Our rural chapel is set in fine countryside. It has direct access to the nearby heathland and woodland, both ideal for walking. We are also within easy walking distance of the remains of Calleva Atrebartum and the Roman Wall. Individual maps are available from the chapel.

There is a sense of peace that makes it an ideal setting and it offers the perfect venue for your quiet-day or retreat.

We can accomodate the disabled and there is ample free parking.

Your quiet-day can be planned around a variety of themes, organisd by yourselves or by us. We can provide lunches and teas by arrangement or you may bring your own.

We are improving and building upon what we can offer as a retreat centre for the District and beyond. We have changed the layout of our hall and started creating a garden for spiritual refreshment.

View or print the Retreat brochure

See our photo gallery.

For more details and bookings contact the co-ordinator: Kathy

Diary Dates

Saturday 10th September 10am - 12noon Garden work party - all hands welcome!

Tuesday 13th September 2pm - 4pm Garden work party

Saturday 17th September 11am - 4pm Ebenezer Open Day

Sunday 18th September 10.30am Harvest

Wednesday 28th September 7.30pm Church Council

Thursday 3rd November Quiet Day

Sunday 20th November 10.30am Church Anniversary

Saturday 3rd December Action for Children Coffee Morning