“Have you ever considered,” I ask, pausing before the welcoming facade of All Saints Weston, “that this serene spot has been a spiritual haven for over eight centuries?” A church building has graced this very hillside for over 800 years. All Saints Weston stands as a testament to enduring faith. It has deep roots in the community.
Welcome to All Saints Weston. This church sits on the hill above Weston High Street. It is in a beautiful unspoilt setting on the North West edge of Bath. The village of Weston is ancient. The church has been at the heart of the community for many years.
Imagine Jane Austen walking this very path. She frequented the Cotswold Way, which leads right past All Saints Weston. Even now, walkers often tread this historic route. It links the church to centuries of footsteps.
The story of All Saints Weston begins long before the current building. In 1885, two dedicated women, Miss Charlotte Sillem and Miss Edith Went, started holding Sunday afternoon services. They gathered in a coach house called Great Gates. It belonged to Mrs Rowley Lambert. She was a patron of social and religious work in Weston Green.
These “three good women” laid the foundation for All Saints. They held services for thirteen years. Clergy from St Nicholas then took over. Plans for a Mission Church emerged. Mr Samuel Went and Miss Edith Went donated land in Weston Park. They stipulated that a permanent church be built.
By July 1900, about £900 had been promised. Construction could begin. Sadly, Miss Went passed away just three days after the site was laid out in October 1900. She knew her efforts had come to fruition.
The foundation stone was laid on December 1st, 1900. Miss Charlotte Sillem tapped the stone three times. She declared it truly laid. The church was dedicated on Ascension Day, May 16th, 1901. It was named All Saints. This honored the mother Church in Kingston. It also remembered those who had passed.
All Saints became a busy hub. It inaugurated a strong forward movement in the Church life of the parish. The church was enlarged in 1909. A new transept was added.
In 1934, a new parish was formed. The Rev John Matthews became the first Vicar of All Saints Weston. A site was purchased for a new church near Marneys Pond in 1935. Edward Maufe, architect of Guildford Cathedral, was chosen as the architect.
Maufe presented his plans in 1938. Construction started soon after. The new All Saints Weston was consecrated on June 24th, 1939. Maufe wanted to create a modern and happy place to worship.
War broke out shortly after completion. Many parishioners joined the forces. The Vicar became a Royal Navy Chaplain. The Church Hall was damaged by bombs. Fortunately, All Saints itself was spared.
The War Memorial, also designed by Edward Maufe, was unveiled in 1948. It bears the names of 44 parishioners who died in the war.
All Saints Weston stands as a testament to faith, community, and enduring spirit. Its history is woven into the very fabric of Weston Green. It is more about the people than the buildings. May its blessings continue to pour upon all who worship in “The Church by the Pond.”