The Church of the Ascension is known locally as the 'Tin Church' because of its corrugated-iron shell. In the Parish Magazine of 1880, the Vicar wrote: 'The new Church of the Ascension, Bedmond, to cater for the spiritual lives of the people in that part of the ancient parish of Abbots Langley, has just been built at a cost of £80'. It had been given by Mrs Solly of Serge Hill, 'so that the spiritual lives of those residing in Bedmond shall go forward with increased vigour'. Completed in 1880, it has a simple wooden interior with some fine painted decoration. Around 60 people can be comfortably seated on wooden chairs which were replaced in the late 1980s. By the mid 1990s it was obvious that it would make life much easier if extra facilities were added, so a corner of the church was turned into a kitchen area and an outside store room converted to a toilet.
In the spring of 2005 major work began on repairing and repainting the outside of the church and during this work the steeple was found to be in a bad state of repair. The Parochial Church Council of Abbots Langley, which oversees the maintenance of the church, agreed that J.F. Day (Builders) should construct a new steeple and cover it with copper. This was duly done and fitted in July 2005 - at a cost considerably more than the original cost of the building! The bell has been rehung within the steeple and can be heard occasionally to welcome people to worship.
During 2011 much of the roof has been replaced in order to maintain the building for the public worship of the residents of Bedmond village.
A service is held on two Sundays each month as well as at the major festivals of Christmas and Easter, and also on Ascension Day, when the whole parish gathers to celebrate with a service of Holy Communion. More recently a Coffee Morning (on the first Wednesday of each month) has been added to the activities to encourage local people into the building. The church is well supported by village residents; and Flower Festivals, Harvest Suppers and Church Fetes are all held within the church and grounds.
To see it on the map, click here.
Choose products with this Mark
www.fairtrade.org.uk
Monday 20th February
2.15 pm Tiny Tots
7.30 pm Bell ringing practice
Tuesday 21st February
10.15 am Tuesday Coffee in St Lawrence
Wednesday 22nd February - Ash Wednesday
10.15 am Holy Communion including Imposition of Ashes
8.00 pm Parish Communion including Imposition of Ashes
Thursday 23rd February
8.15-8.45 am Prayers for the Parish and Local Community
8.00 pm Housegroup at 6 Kindersley Way
Friday 24th February
9.30 am Morning Prayer with Holy Communion
10.00 am Heart for Abbots Langley Coffee in the Henderson Hall
10.20 am Funeral of Ivy Cremore at the Crematorium
3.30 pm Burial of the Ashes of Colin Schutt
6.15 pm Youth Choir practice
Saturday 25th February
10.00 pm Compline
Sunday 26th February - The First Sunday of Lent
8.00 am Holy Communion
9.30 am Parish Communion with Seekers (Sunday School) and Creche
12.30 pm Sunday Lunch Club
12.45 pm Vicarage Lent Lunch
6.30 pm Evening Prayer
Donate to the Parish