Sherfield English: St Leonard

St Leonard’s Church is one of the main hubs of village life in Sherfield English, situated on the main thoroughfare, conveniently next to the village pub and a short walk from the village hall and several thriving businesses. The church building is spacious and benefits from ample parking, making it a popular venue.

Community is very important within the village and especially to the church, where the congregation generally welcomes a more relaxed but still traditional form of worship. Alongside its regular worshipping community, St Leonard’s welcomes a good number of occasional visitors to its celebration services, especially at Christmas and Easter.  Monthly coffee mornings help to keep in touch with the less regular visitors, and the church is fortunate to have active support for a number of fundraising events.  In the past, these have included concerts, strawberry teas in local gardens, craft fairs and numerous displays showcasing the talents of the village’s many knitters.  2024 saw a year-long celebration of 120 years since the church was commissioned, including a special service led by Right Reverend Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Winchester.

While the lack of a village school has made it harder to attract young members of the congregation, families are always welcomed and several of the younger adults now attending church have been coming since their school days.  St Leonard’s is blessed with an active church choir as well as a keen team of bell-ringers. As one of few parish churches to have a full peal of eight bells, the church attracts visiting bell-ringers from across the area.

Services follow a regular and varied pattern, led by our rector, Reverend James Pitkin, assistant priest, Reverend Sara-Jane Stevens, and our two current churchwardens, who are trained worship leaders. All visitors are guaranteed a warm welcome, and the church is also registered as a dementia-friendly venue.