Welcome to
St Bartholomew’s Church
A place of…
Living history - founded in 1110, St Bartholomew’s is the only active remnant of Hyde Abbey, the final resting place of King Alfred the Great. It therefore commemorates his national legacy and influence and holds a very significant place in the heritage and history of Winchester. It is also on ancient pilgrimage routes including the St James’ Way, on which it is the start point for the Winchester to Southampton leg. The church is open to visitors only on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm, circumstances permitting. If you would like your pilgrim passport stamped, please contact us at least a week in advance of your visit.
Living faith - this is the parish church for Hyde and Abbotts Barton, with services every Sunday at 10am, and strong links with St Bede Church of England Primary School. We also sponsor a child at the Ikona Hillside School in Kisiizi (Uganda). Our pastoral ministry is available to all and includes regular visits to Abbotts Barton Care Home.
Living community - we run a weekly toddler group called Little Wrigglers, and there is a monthly coffee morning. The church is available as a venue for concerts, plays, lectures and other community events. Our lovely churchyard offers a place of beauty for many who come to sit and pray or just find a few moments’ peace.
Giving for Living - we have begun an ambitious programme of repair and refurbishment to ensure a vibrant future for St Bartholomew’s as a thriving local venue for the arts, heritage, and community groups, as well as being a centre of Christian worship and prayer. Please click the button below to support our “Giving for Living @ St Bart’s” Appeal and help us breathe new life into this precious place!
Click here to set up a regular gift and please consider leaving a legacy in your will - thank you very much.
The church holds a very significant place in the history of Winchester’s connection with King Alfred the Great, and continues to hold annual commemorations of his national legacy and influence.
History
The church was founded in 1110 as the church for the lay people who worked at the great medieval Hyde Abbey, which is believed to have been the final resting place for the bones of King Alfred the Great, his Queen Aelswitha and their son Edward the Elder.
We hold an annual commemoration of King Alfred on the Sunday nearest to 26th October, the anniversary of his death in 899. We are pleased to host the annual celebration events put on by Hyde 900.
Within the church you can see some of the finest surviving examples of mediæval sculpture in England – five original capitals and one springing stone, thought to have come from the Abbey cloisters.
The church tower was built in the 16th century using stone from the Abbey after it was destroyed in the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The church gradually fell into disrepair until the Victorian era, when it was extensively repaired and a new north aisle added. Our lovely stained glass windows were added between 1856 and 1972, and the fine woodwork is 20th century.
Please click on our virtual tour below for more interesting facts about St Bartholomew’s Church: