CofE

Welcome to
All Saints Church of England
Hengoed with Gobowen
Chirk Road
Gobowen, Shropshire

Priest in charge:
Revd. Adrian Bailey
The Vicarage
Old Chirk Rd
Gobowen
Shropshire
SY11 3LL
Tel/fax No 01691 661226
E-mail: arb2@totalise.co.uk




Please click on the area you want to look at:

*Last updated on Tuesday 14th February 2012




Sunday morning services
 1st Sunday of the month at 11.00 am - Informal Family Service
2nd Sunday of the month at 11.00 am - Communion
3rd Sunday of the month at 11.00 am - Communion
4th Sunday of the month at 8.00 am - Communion (without hymns)
4th Sunday of the month at 11.00 am - Morning Prayer
5th Sunday of the month at 11.00 am - Ecumenical service

Sunday evening services
 1st Sunday at 6.30 pm - Communion
3rd Sunday at 6.30 pm - Evening prayer
5th Sunday at 6.30 pm - Communion

Midweek services
 Thursday at 9.30 am - Communion Service
2nd Monday of the month at 1.30 pm - Sparklers service for pre-school children

Please join us at any of our Services-you would be welcome. Our services usually follow the modern rites but the Sunday evening services follow the traditional rites. Coffee is usually served after the Sunday morning service and the Thursday morning service.

At special festivals (e.g. Christmas, Easter, and other special occasions) there may be additional services, and the Sunday programme may be slightly different. Please see the diary section of our website or contact Revd Adrian Bailey on arb2@totalise.co.uk.




We at All Saints are a Christian Church and because we are, we are united under the belief:
 That there is a God, and in the beginning He created the heavens, the earth and everything in it. (Genesis 1)
That people rebelled against God, so we need to turn back to him again. (Genesis 3)
That Jesus Christ came to show us the way back to God. (John 3:16-17)
That at first people did not believe Jesus was the Son of God (Mark 14:61-65)
But Jesus' teachings, and his subsequent death and resurrection proved that He was God's Son. (Acts of the Apostles 10:38-43) (John 14:6)
That through His Spirit Jesus is still working in our world today (John 16: 7-15)
That those who believe and trust in Jesus will be forgiven, live a better life now and enjoy the next life with him in eternity. (Romans 10:9)

All Saints' vision statement
 All Saints is a community of Christians bound together in love and faith to learn, mature and work with each other as we serve those in the wider community and share our faith with them.




If you want information on someone who was baptised, married or was buried at St Barnabas Hengoed or All Saints Gobowen we will try to help you and if necessary provide a certified copy of marriage or baptism.

Please note that in accordance with normal Church of England practice a fee is payable for searches and copies of certificates. Contact the priest in charge for such requests: arb2@totalise.co.uk.


All Saint's Church hall is situated in the ground of the church. It is available for bookings for most functions and has a fully equipped kitchen.

Regular users (i.e. weekly or monthly users) will be charged £20 per session (a session is morning, afternoon or an evening).
Occasional users will be charged £25 per session.
All day users will be charged £54.

Contact Mike Stokes on 01691 662957.


If you are interested in being confirmed, or would like to find out more about the Christian faith, then contact The Revd Adrian Bailey for the latest details of courses available (arb2@totalise.co.uk).




(sometimes known as Christenings)

If you live in Hengoed or Gobowen, it's usually possible to be baptised at All Saints. If you don't live in Hengoed or Gobowen you would have to show a connection, and a baptism could only go ahead if the vicar in the parish where you live gave permission.

The baptism of babies and young children usually take place during our informal family service at 11.00 am on the first Sunday of the month. Guests coming to the service who are not used to church often find this more user-friendly than a communion service. However, if this is difficult for you for whatever reason, we are happy to consider having a baptism at one of our other 11.00 am Sunday services.

Preparation sessions are held with the parents beforehand to help them to understand the implications of the promises they will be making.

For older children and adults who want to be baptised, a lengthier preparation is usual.

The baptism service, and the promises you will be making, can be viewed on the Church of England website, www.churchofengland.org. If you felt that in all honesty you could not make the baptism promises before God, we would be happy to consider a service of thanksgiving as an alternative.

To apply, please contact The Revd Adrian Bailey (arb2@totalise.co.uk).




All Saint's church is a perfect venue for your wedding. Not only will you have a warm welcome, but the traditional stone-built design, the award-winning churchyard (one of the best kept in Shropshire), and the light and airy interior make it perfect for photos. Having God's blessing on your wedding is the best way to start married life.

If at least one partner lives in Hengoed or Gobowen and neither of you has been married before, you should normally be able to get married at All Saint's. Following a change of law on 1st October 2008 people with a connection with Gobowen parish (which is defined in law) can also be married in the church. For full details see the Church of England website. In accordance with the Church of England's practise, those who have been married and divorced cannot normally be remarried in church. However in certain cases, providing certain conditions are met, an exception can be made.

We are also happy to conduct services of blessing - both for those who have just got married in a civil ceremony and also for those who were married years ago but want their marriage blessed.

The marriage service, and the promises you will be making, can be viewed on www.churchofengland.org - www.weddingguideuk.com is another useful site for making your wedding preparations.

To apply, please contact The Revd Adrian Bailey (arb2@totalise.co.uk).

The fees for 2012 are as follows:
      £262 standard Church of England fee
      £22 calling of banns of marriage*
      £3.50 marriage certificate
      £12 verger
The following are optional extras:
      £40 organist
      £12 ringing of bells
      £20 license to use video

We regret that the choir is no longer available for weddings.

* assumes both bride and groom live within parish.
Different legal fees may be incurred in other circumstances.




On 16th August 1849 the foundation stone was laid for St Barnabas Church, Hengoed. Built and designed by the Revd Albany Rossendale Lloyd, the church was built of stone and strengthened with buttresses, between which were Lancet shaped windows. The roof had a long pitch constructed of rafters.

The church was opened for Divine Service on the feast of St Barnabas, 11th June 1850. It was not consecrated until 15th August 1853. A North Transept was added in 1855 and in 1871 a stained glass window was installed in the transept in memory of Albany Rossendale Lloyd's father, the Revd Charles A.A. Lloyd, who had been Rector of Whittington and Selattyn. The window was called 'The dawning of the last day' by Ashwin of London. In 1873 a bell turret was erected which housed three bells. The Revd Albany Rossendale Lloyd built Hengoed Vicarage close to the church. He was the first Incumbent, and served the people of Hengoed for 42 years. He died on 23rd March 1895 and is buried in the churchyard.

In 1950 the centenary was celebrated. In 1975 a flower festival was held to celebrate the 125th anniversary. But a devastating quinquennial survey that year uncovered dry rot in the timbers. On 20th May 1979 the last service took place. On 1st June it officially closed. A legal battle to save it was lost and on 4th January 1985 it was demolished. It had served the community for 135 years.

Today St Barnabas churchyard is a peaceful place to visit. The font remains as a memorial, standing on a base of stone, one of which is the original foundation stone. Further information can be obtained on 01691 658876.


All Saints Church Gobowen was consecrated in June 1928. Previously the Parish Church was St Barnabas Hengoed, so Gobowen became a daughter church. The parish was in the Diocese of St Asaph prior to the disestablishment of the Welsh church when it became part of the Diocese of Lichfield.

The chancel and the main part of the nave were erected first, including a vestry at the east end. Then the west end was added, a tower in 1935, and a belfry in 1948. In December 1979 it was burned down and all that was left was the choir vestry, four walls and tower. It was rebuilt and in October 1981 rededicated by the Bishop of Lichfield.

It is worth noting the East Window which was designed by Lawrence Lee, and also the West Window which was donated from a redundant church near London in memory of a previous incumbent and his wife. The Royal coat of Arms was removed from St Barnabas Hengoed when it was declared redundant. Also worth noting is the Maquette of the Virgin Mary and child given in memory of a member of the congregation who worked for many years at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District hospital, which lies within the parish. The Millennium window is also worthy of mention since many of the congregation contributed to the painting and design. The Reredos of the Last Supper was also given by the parish for the Millennium.

At present the church is open from Easter until Harvest from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Saturday.


Map of Area
If you would like to see a map showing the position of All Saints' Church in a separate window then click here.

All Saints' Church can be seen near the middle of the map near the arrow. St. Barnabas can be seen near the south western corner next to the spot height 146. Both are near the A5 a few miles north of Oswestry.




Below are two small pictures of All Saints' Church - one showing the outside of the church and the other showing the view up the Nave. If you would like to see much larger pictures (56kb and 54kb) in a separate window just select the appropriate thumbnail.





Organisations for parents/families
Mothers' Union
The Mothers' union (MU) is a world-wide organisation which exists to promote and strengthen family life and Christian marriage. Details of it's history and aims can be found on it's website.

All Saint's Hengoed with Gobowen members meet at 2.30pm on the 4th Thursday of the month in the church hall. They attend Holy Communion together on the first Thursday of the month at 9.30 am.

Organisations which serve the community
Lunch club
The lunch club meets every other Monday from 12 noon -1.00 pm in the Church Hall. The nutritious meals are low cost.

People come from all over the village and are aged from a few months old to 80+. The food is good but the best thing is the fellowship. Contact Ann Evans on 10691 661220 for details of the next one.

Organisations concerned with deepening Christian faith
There is usually a Study course during Lent and sometimes groups at other times studying a particular theme. Additionally there are courses run on a deanery basis (i.e. the Oswestry and district area) which serve a number of churches. Contact The Revd Adrian Bailey (arb2@totalise.co.uk) for the latest information.




Saturday 18th February 2012:
10.00 am - 12.30 pm: Ellesmere town hall: Inspiring encounters, a morning with the Bishop of Shrewsbury for all churches in Oswestry and Ellesmere deaneries. All welcome.

Tuesday 21st February 2012:
6.30 pm: Pancake evening and beetle drive in All Saints church hall. Tickets £2.

Wednesday 22nd February 2012 - Ash Wednesday:
7.30 pm: Holy Communion for the beginning of Lent.

Friday 24th February 2012:
10.00 am -12.00 pm: Book Launch of 'Why Darwin matters to Christians' by the vicar, Revd Adrian Bailey, at Pengwern books, The market Hall, Shrewsbury. The book explores the relationship between scientific development and faith. It is written with the man or woman in the street in mind and so is not too academic.

If you would like a copy (£7.99 payable to Adrian Bailey) please contact Revd Adrian Bailey (contact details at top of web page). Please add £2 if you want to add postage.

Thursday 1st March 2012:
10.30 am: (and the next 4 Thursdays). Ecumenical Lent group starts in All Saints Church hall. We will conclude the sessions with a bring and share lunch. We will be studying the York Course: Handing on the Torch, exploring why it is so difficult to spread the gospel in Britain and Europe compared with many other regions of the world.

Friday 2nd March 2012:
2.30 pm: Ecumenical service for Women's world day of prayer, Preeshenlle URC.

Monday 5th March 2012:
12.30 pm onwards: Ecumenical event for Fairtrade fortnight at Preeshenlle URC. Lunches, fair-trade goods stall, afternoon teas.

Sunday 18th March 2012
11.00 am: Family service for Mothering Sunday.
6.30 pm: Holy Communion.

Sunday 18th December 2011
6.30 pm:- Ecumenical Carol Service for Gobowen and Preeshenlle URC CHurch, St Martin's Rd. Gobowen

Holy Week and Easter Services - 2011
 Sunday 1st April 2012
10.45 am:- Palm Sunday procession followed by Holy Communion in church - No evening service

Monday 2nd April 2012
7.30 pm:- Holy Communion

Tuesday 3rd April 2012
7.30 pm:- Holy Communion

Wednesday 4th April 2012
7.30 pm:- Holy Communion

Maundy Thursday 5th April 2012
7.30 pm:- Holy Communion
Followed by Vigil Service until midnight

Good Friday 6th April 2012
10.00 am:- Ecumenical devotional service, atarting at All Saints' and ending at Preeshenlle United Reformed Church

Saturday 7th April 2012
9.30 am:- Service for church decorators

Easter Sunday 8th April 2012
8.00 am:- Holy Communion
10.45 am:- Easter Fire, renewal of baptism vows and Holy Communion



Monday 16th April 2012:
7.00 pm: Bingo evening Church hall

Thursday 26th April 2012:
7.30 pm: All Saints AGM in the church hall

Sunday 29th April 2012:
11.00 am: Ecumenical service at All Saints.
6.30 pm: Holy Communion

Monday 7th May 2012:
2.00 pm: Bank Holiday Treasure Hunt (meet at church) followed by refreshments in the church hall.

Saturday 2nd June 2012:
4.00 pm: Queen's Diamond Jubilee service, church

Monday 4th June 2012:
3.00 pm onwards: All age Diamond Jubilee party in the church hall.

Saturday 14th July 2012:
11.00 am - 2.00 pm:- All Saints' flower and vegetable show Summer Fete, Church hall and grounds: Lunches available from midday.

Sunday 29th July 2012:
11.00 am: Ecumenical service at Preeshenlle URC.
6.30 pm: Holy Communion

Monday 13th August 2012:
2.30 pm: Sparklers' teddy bear picnic in and around church hall.

Friday 7th September 2012:
7.00 pm: Quiz night (teams of 4) All Saints church hall.

Sunday 30th September 2012:
11.00 am: Ecumenical service, All Saints.
6.30 pm: Holy Communion.

Friday 5th October 2012:
All Day:- Church Decorating for Harvest

Saturday 6th October 2012:
All Day:- Church open day concluding with harvest songs of praise at 4.30 pm

Saturday 6th October 2012:
All Day:- Church open day concluding with harvest songs of praise at 4.30 pm

Sunday 7th October 2012:
11.00 am: Harvest thanksgiving service, followed by bring and share lunch in hall, followed by Holy Communion (café style) at approx 3.00 pm

Friday 2nd November 2012:
7.00 pm: Social evening, church hall, with Ruth Moore-Williams and her group.

Sunday 11th November 2012:
10.00 am:- Ecumenical Remembrance Service at All Saints' followed by procession to the village war memorial for 11.00 am
6.30 pm: Holy Communion

Saturday 15th / Sunday 16th December 2012:
Christmas Tree festival in church. Christmas fair on the Saturday from 11.00 am - 3.00 pm