St George's, Owlsmoor
Introduction - The Population Grows
The first of the three churches in Owlsmoor Road was erected in 1880 to serve the growing population of Owlsmoor. The inhospitable heathland upon which the settlement stands had been part of the Great Windsor Forest, and managed for deer hunting and timber. The population was very small with only Sandhurst as an established village.The Enclosure Acts around 1815 meant that as land came up for sale, big institutions like Broadmoor Hospital and Wellington College, as well as the railway line, were built and the heathland became a viable place in which to live and work. Owlsmoor grew up and now has a population of over 4,000 inhabitants.
The First Church
The original Church of 1880 was established by the congregation of St John Baptist in Crowthorne. This was a time of great expense for the Parishioners of Crowthorne since their own Church had only recently been consecrated, in 1873. Consequently funds extended only to the erection of an iron clad church, locally known as 'the tin Church'.
The Second Church
By the 1950's it was time to replace the iron Church. This time the cladding material was Canadian Cedar, with a rooftop belfry. There was the main Church, combining nave and chancel, with the sanctuary for the altar between the vestry and store. An assembly room and facilities were also provided so that the Church could serve the community other than for services.
The confined area of the Church site does not allow for the provision of burials. Owlsmoor was variously part of the Parishes of Sandhurst and Crowthorne but became St George's in Owlsmoor Ecclesiastical Parish in 1985.
The Present Church
The life of 'The Cedar Church' was short. It was demolished in 1993 to make way for the present brick-built Church which was consecrated in October 1993. The building provides a multi-purpose community facility with car parking, catering and disabled persons' facilities. The main floor can be used as a community hall as well as for worship.
The altar at the east end of the Church is made from 1.3 tonnes of South African granite and is incised with five crosses. It was the gift of the Parish of St John Baptist, Crowthorne, for the present Church. The previous altar table, of oak, is kept in the Chapel.
The stained glass round window above the altar is by Nicola Kantorowicz and illustrates Revelation 4:2-6. The four corners of the earth are filled with moons and stars and these join to create a circle of light around the globe.The centre of the globe depicts the four elements: earth, air fire and water. The window was the gift of the Parish of St Michael and All Angels, Sandhurst.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross, approached by a circular staircase, is used for weekday worship and the glass screen can also be opened to give continuity into the main Church. The original oak font is also kept here.
The seven crosses set into the walls of the building were anointed during the service of consecration and the candles burning in front of them recall the presence of the Spirit of God.
Outside, two bells hang from the steel frame bell tower. The smaller bell comes from the Cedar Church and the larger is inscribed 'I AM MARTYN' in memory of Martyn Davies, who died in 1992. There is also a well stocked flower garden and courtyard.
Services
- Sunday Parish Eucharist: 10am - 11.15 am
- Christ in Quiet: Healing service 1st Sunday of the month 6.30pm
- Coffee Spot Service: An Informal Ecumenical service held at Sandhurst Coffee Spot 2nd Sunday of the month 6.30pm - run by Sandhurst Churches Together.
- Sung Evensong: With Sermon 3rd Sunday of the month 6.30pm
- Encounter: Coffee bar church 4th Sunday of the month 6.30pm
- Evening prayer: Said service - Monday and Friday at 5pm
- Weekday communion service: Tuesday 9.30am
- Fellowship group: Thursday 7.30pm
- Emmaus course: Wednesday 8pm
- Youth club (age 11+): Friday 7.30pm
- Saturday: Acorn Prayer Group 10.00am
Contact: Revd Roy Burgess 01344 771286
The hall and facilities are also available for community events by contacting the bookings secretary: Judith Dodds 01276 32065.
For Youth club, Junior Church and Fellowship group contact Linda Hewlett: 01276 34979.
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