Bampton in Devon

The church stands in the middle of the town - more information may be found in the History section of this web-site.

For genealogists, a listing of the graves in the churchyard can be found here.

There is also a special section on the bell-ringers.

Below is a list of church services which is updated each month. You would be most welcome to join us at any of these services.

Rector – Rev’d Lynne Burgon, The New Vicarage, Bampton
Tel: 01398 332443

Sunday, 1st January New Year’s Day
11.00 a.m.         Holy Communion    
                          No evening service

Sunday, 8th January        Epiphany
  8.00 a.m.         Holy Communion
         11.00 a.m.         Community Service

Sunday, 15th January
11.00 a.m.         Holy Communion (Joint Benefice Service)
                          in HUNTSHAM

Sunday, 22nd January
 11.00 a.m.        Family Service
          6.30 p.m.          Holy Communion

Sunday, 29th January       Candlemas
11.00 a.m.         Holy Communion (Joint Benefice Service)
                          in CLAYHANGER

See also A Church Near You - http://www.achurchnearyou.com/

Recent Events:

Looking back over 2011:-

• We were delighted to welcome our new Rector, Rev. Lynne Burgon, who was licensed on 6th February (see above photos taken during the service)

• We offered a simple lunch in church each week during Lent, followed by our Lent course.

• Our weekly coffee mornings continue to be well attended.  The church is open from 9.30 – 11.30 every Tuesday morning for coffee, tea, cake and a chat.  This attracts all ages from new-born upwards, and we have a small play area for toddlers.  You are warmly invited to join us.

• We held a holiday club day during both the Easter and Summer school holidays.  The Seaside Rock Holiday Club in July was attended by 22 children, when lots of fun was had by all!

• Christian Aid week was marked by having a guest speaker at our morning service followed by a simple lunch, with all donations for Christian Aid.

• A House Group meets on alternate Thursday afternoons and a Bible Study Group on alternate Friday evenings.  Both groups are ecumenical.  Do come along one afternoon or evening – you would be most welcome.

• The Hukeley Mission Community (the five churches in our Benefice of Bampton, Morebath, Clayhanger, Petton and Huntsham) held a joint fundraising Garden Party in July in aid of the new Hospiscare Day Centre in Tiverton.

• Our annual Teddy Bear Parachuting from the church tower took place during Bampton Open Day on August Bank Holiday Monday.  Each teddy was issued with a Certificate of Bravery (some courageous teddies have collected several certificates over the years).

• We continue to build on our good links with Bampton Primary School, and held a commissioning service for the new head teacher in September.

• The J Club, a Christian After School Club for 5-9 year olds, was set up at Bampton School during the autumn term.  We are encouraged by the growth in numbers attending.

• We enjoyed two events on the Millennium Green – a Family BBQ and a Hog Roast.  The latter was a joint event with Bampton Town Council, and included a competition for the best dessert made with apples.  They were all delicious!

• Our annual Harvest Hooley (supper and quiz) was held during our Harvest Festival weekend.

• The Friends of St. Michael’s Church, Bampton, was launched.  This was formed in order to encourage our many supporters to contribute in a positive way with the preservation and enrichment of this ancient building, whether regular worshippers or not.  More information may be obtained from The Treasurer: Mr. Michael Hatchett on 01398 331843.

• A current concern is the south wall of the church building, which has continued to lean a little further outward each year.  Some exploratory trial holes were excavated in the autumn.  Reports from an archaeologist and a structural engineer show that major works are required to stabilise the wall and to make good cracks and discontinuities in the stone work.  A fund raising programme will be launched when we have an estimate of the likely cost involved. 

• Faith Forum – a series of five informal discussions were held in The Swan, Bampton, during November, to help people question and find out more about Christian spirituality.

Our Christmas Tree Festival weekend took place at the beginning of December, when many local groups decorated the church with Christmas Trees on the theme “Children’s Stories.”  The Festival included an opening concert featuring Andrew Milloy, a talented multi-instrumentalist and songwriter based in Oxfordshire.  We also had a Christmas Market on Saturday morning, with a visit from Father Christmas.

The Opening Concertl featured Andrew Milloy who is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter based in Oxfordshire.  He creates catchy but poignant songs that cross over between many different musical styles, from folk and rock to soul and jazz.  The evening also included hand-bell ringers and carols. Photos below by Ben Barrett.