A warm welcome from the Rector

Welcome to our web site for the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Ash.
We are situated in the village of Ash, just to the south of New Ash Green. We serve, as a parish, the communities of New Ash Green, Ash, Hodsoll Street and surrounding lanes. The church is nearly 1000 years old and set in very tranquil surroundings.

We try to cater for the worshipping needs of the community in a variety of different ways. We use both the Book of Common Prayer and the newer 'Common Worship' in our main services. We have a very capable choir with a fine choral tradition, and a very keen set of ringers for our six bells. For younger members we have a Boys' and a Girls' Brigade, and on one Sunday (usually the third) a month we have a special morning group for youngsters – Young Ash Church Alive (YACA) - meeting from 10.15am until 11:50am, mixing fun and games with more serious topics.

We also try to involve ourselves in the life of the local community with an active social calendar including Ash Fete and New Ash Green Village Day, and occasional concerts and picnics.

Do look over the pages and find out who we are - whether you are finding out about your, or the community's history, thinking of getting married or having a baby baptised - or simply surfing.

If you would like to join anything - or simply find out more do get in touch.

As a congregation we have both the joy and the responsibility of keeping what is both the oldest building in the parish, and a Grade 1 listed building, 'on the road'. We have recently had a great deal of repair work done on the church tower, the bellfry and the bell frame. Our bells have recently returned after 4 months of refurbishment and it's good to hear them ringing out again. 

We have also had our plans for building work accepted at last - subject to a few minor points. We will be building a small extension to the North of the church with toilet and kitchen facilities - and, if finances permit, with a small meeting area. We also hope to have a new Church Guide printed soon - so if you would like to visit and to look round this might make it even more special. We often have groups looking round the church so we might be able to arrange a guide! The churchyard is also very beautiful with masses of spring flowers and a wide variety of birdlife. Do come and see - you could even help with the gardening if would like to!

We hope that anyone who joins us for worship, whether for a special service or regularly, or who joins us for one of our many social functions, or just visits for peace or to look at our grand old building, will find a warm welcome.

Try it and see.

John Peal , Rector. Spring 2010.