Reading and Silchester Methodist Circuit
Silchester Methodist Church
Pamber Road, Silchester, Reading,
Berkshire RG7 2NY
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ADVANCE NOTICE
Cream Teas will be served every Sunday in June
Sunday 21st February, 10.30am, Worship - preparation for Lent.
Come at 10am and learn some new worship songs.
Sunday 28th February, 10.30am, Worship led by Mr Mike Smith.
Tuesday 23rd February, 7.30pm, Fellowship Group at Elaine's.
Saturday 27th February, 9.30am, Ladies Breakfast. Talk by Libby Morse of Thrive Charity,
"enabling those touched by a disability to transform their lives using gardening". All
ladies welcome.
Friday 11th March, 7.30pm, Womens' World Day of Prayer Service.
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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.
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.
There was a windmill at the site of the chapel during the 18th Century.
History prior to 1839 is scant but the first recordd 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.
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Our services are held on Sunday mornings at 10.30.
We enjoy singing from both Hymns & Psalms and Songs of Fellowship Book1.
The children may go out to Junior Church, contact Elaine tel. 0118 9817088
for more details.
After the service, which lasts for about one hour,
refreshments are served in the hall.
After School Club every Tuesday during term-time from
3.30-4.30pm.
More details from Kathy tel. 0118 9701234 or
email Kathy
Youth Club
Urban Saints, previously known as Crusaders,
is our Youth Activity on Friday evenings.
For more information please contact Angela tel. 01256 850432
CLICK Urban Saints
to visit the national Urban Saints website.
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Midweek events at our Church include:
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,
usually 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
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! We are currently studying Esther.
For more information telephone Elaine on
0118 9817088 or
email Nicola
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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 looking to improve and build upon what we can offer as a retreat centre for
the District and beyond.
For more details and bookings contact the co-ordinator: Kathy tel. 0118 9701234 or
email Kathy
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