Longstanton Village

 Beside information about All Saints' and St Michael's Churches,  you will find on this page information about other religious denominations active in Longstanton:  Roman Catholic and Baptist. 

All Saints' Church

Community Appeal

From the Revd Malcolm Raby, Vicar of All Saints

After over four years of our Church building being closed, we are thrilled to announce that we re-opened the Church building on the weekend of 28th 30th September 2007.

You will remember that in the summer of 2003 part of the ceiling became detached and due to the danger to the public the Church had to be closed.

It’s going to cost in excess of £40,000 to have the ceiling replaced, but we are now hoping that the repairs and re-opening of the Church in September is just the start of a new beginning for the Church which has served our community for almost 800 years.

During the time that the Church has been closed, the Friends of All Saints Church along with the support of the local community have spent some considerable effort fund-raising to help pay for the work to be completed.

In the first year of setting up, the Friends, along with the local community, many well-wishers and supporters, have raised a staggering £10,000 and we would like to thank everyone for their fantastic support.

But we are not going to stop at £10,000. As part of the improvements, we have had a new heating system put into the Church. We are also looking at ways in which we can agree a modernisation programme that will open up the Church to the wider community.

We feel that for the Church to survive a further 800 years we need to provide greater access to its use by the whole community and therefore the Friends are looking for continued support from the community to make this a reality.

If you wish to know more about what we are doing to improve upon the facilities at the Church, please contact a member of the Friends or log onto the Friends website at http://friends-of-all-saints-church-longstanton.org.uk

Even though we have now re-opened the Church, we still need you support and funds to complete the improvements that are required and any donations (however large or small) can be sent to the Revd Malcolm Raby at the Vicarage, Over
The Vicarage,
Horse Ware,
OVER,
Cambs
CB24 5NX.

Work to re-open the Church has been a long and arduous process, but we have achieved our first milestone. Keep praying that we can continue the momentum.

Services:

• For a listing of all services in Longstanton and Over, click here for  The Friends of All Saints' Church Longstanton . You will also find news, fundraising events update, village history and much more
• St Mary's Church of Over's website: http://dstmarys-over.dev.netflare.co.uk/
• Copies of the joint magazine of All Saints' and St Mary's, TEAM TALK, are available at the Post Office counter, High street, longstanton

Sunday School:

Bell ringing enquiries:

Contact Mike Cartwright on 01954 781275

 St Michael's Church

Brief history:

The Parishes of St Michael's and All Saints were both first recorded in the early 13th century. The ecclesiastical parishes remained separate until 1959. St Michael's Church was declared redundant in 1973: it was used for 2 or 3 services a year. Taken over by the Redundant Fund in 1975, it has been superbly maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust. The nave and aisles are contained under a rare thatched roof which the Trust fully restored in 2000. 

Visit the Churches Conservation Trust website www.visitchurches.org.uk in which St Michael's is described as

"typically and appealingly English in its setting, an adorable small village church in a quiet and idyllic corner. No wonder Americans built churches near Philadelphia and in South Dakota in imitation of St Michael's, which must be everybody's idea of a simple rural church, with its perky double bell cote and thatched roof. Lovers of architecture will admire the superb 13th century double piscina in the south chancel wall, with its two drains set beneath intersecting arches, similar to one in Jesus College Chapel, Cambridge. (Copyright @ The Churches Conservation Trust 2004)". 

Read more about St Michael's: click here Cambridgshire Churches: Longstanton St Michael's

The Holy Well:

There is a rare and ancient Holy Well in the churchyard. Its water was used for baptisms and it would be dressed with flowers for the September festival. Click on Holy Well, St Michael's Churchyard, Longstanton  to know more about the Holy Well. 

St Michael's opening hours:

Sunday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00

Contact:  

Trust's Warden and Key Holder of St Michael's:

Dr William Sellwood,  Tel: 0755 26 88 243  

The Churches Conservation Trust's re-insertion of St Michael's in its village community:

The Trust's programme of work is envisaged to  equip  eventually this much treasured church with toilet, electricity and lighting, transforming it into a comfortable venue all the year round for the benefit of the local community.

The consecrated church of St Michael's may be hired throughout the year for concerts, theatre shows, exhibitions, talks, community events, etc., and a small number of religious ceremonies each year (a baptism, wedding or funeral).

Churches Conservation Trust booking enquiries:  

  The Roman Catholic Congregation of Longstanton

 The Baptist Congregation of Longstanton

Meetings:

Sunday morning: between 10:00 and 11:30

1st Sunday in the month: sharing a communion meal of bread and wine

3rd Sunday in the month: meeting between 9:00 and 10:00

The congregation starts most morning meetings as a fellowship for a time of praise and a short feature for all ages. After a while, children join their own age groups.

Visitors are welcome at all meetings.

Contacts: Pam Buckridge 01954 780714 or Hilary Wyllie (Church Secretary) 01954 260051

www.willinghambaptist.org

Note: A modern ecumenical building for religious worship is planned for the town centre at Northstowe