Welcome to the Benefice of Hazelbury Bryan and the Hillside Parishes
of
Belchalwell, Fifehead Neville,
Ibberton, Mappowder and Woolland
The Parish of All Saints at Fifehead Neville
The Parish of All Saints at Fifehead Neville and Fifehead St Quintin comprises sixty
households scattered across the valley of the River Divelish with a mixed population of about one hundred and fifty. There are twenty-two on the church electoral roll.
The church dates partly from 15th century with 18th century modifications and is in a good state of repair. A detailed history of the church has been produced. The churchyard is closed to new burials, but there is a peaceful graveyard just up the lane. PCC members work hard to ensure the church remains central in the community and strive to ensure financial and structural stability for future generations. Most maintenance work is carried out by volunteers. There is a small hall which is church property, administered by a separate committee, providing a venue for local functions and church events.
We are passionate about our church and believe it to be of paramount importance to maintain regular Eucharistic worship in the parish. Over the years we have evolved with young and old, traditionalists and others, being open to change and developments in liturgy. We currently have two services each month, usually these are Holy Communion and Morning Prayer, with one being taken from the Book of Common Prayer, the other following Common Worship. We are open to exploring fresh ideas on how this might evolve. At major festivals our small church is usually full with visiting and local families, we can comfortably seat around seventy people, and we are generally known as a welcoming church and there is good interchange with others in the Benefice.
In our small villages, the village hall committee, Churchwardens and PCC members are responsible for spearheading most community events, including the annual summer fete, Lent lunches and coffee mornings. Whilst helping to raise essential funds, these occasions provide a wonderful opportunity to involve all members of the wider community and thePCC sees this as an essential part of its Christian mission.
Ours is a caring neighbourhood, and whilst we have the resources to initiate community activities, we do need someone who can undertake pastoral visiting, and encourage and inspire us to develop our worship to the benefit of mission. We would hope that whoever is appointed as house for duty priest can be a visible presence within the parish and give us strong leadership and support.