St. Mary's Church, Amport

St Mary's Church is in the benefice of Amport, Grateley, Monxton and Quarley. There are no remains of the original church, which was probably built of timber and thatch. The present church was built of knapped flint in the Decorated style during the years 1320 to 1330. It was luckily completed before the Black Death reached the south of England. Amport's priest was one of many who died of the disease during the outbreak of 1348/9.

The advowson of this church was given in 1217 to the Canons of Chichester cathedral by William de St John, son of Adam de Port after whom the village was named, and still remains with Chichester Cathedral. The first record of an incumbent at St Mary's is in the register of Bishop John de Pontoise of Winchester which, as its very first entry in 1282, notes the institution of Thomas de Anne to the vicarage of Anne, as the village was known at that time. The church was extended and considerably restored in 1866 and re-roofed in 1988.

There are more pictures and architectural notes by Astoft (www.astoft.co.uk/amport.htm).

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Our Mission Audit forms the final phase of nearly 5 years of consultation by Diocese with the parishes, and the PCC will send a representative to the final Bishops’ consultation meeting in Winchester in October. The report to Diocese was delivered by Pentecost 2008, and the PCC is very grateful to those who responded. The aim was to: “to pay attention to the world in which we live in such a way as to enable the local church to discern the shape of God’s call to mission for this church, at this time, in this place.”

The PCC will now consider the following points:

From Main Report statistics

1. The main task in view of the lack of response to the written Survey, particularly from the younger generations, is to seek to engage more people from following generations in the work of the Church, and it is clear that some of the present oldies should now step down and provide opportunities for them.
2. The major points from the evening sessions are first, that those in the church should work more closely together, and second, that the church in the 21st Century is moving on.
3. Review church services and do much more for the young. Services should be in the church, and more popular hymn tunes used.
4. Visiting to new arrivals and those in need should be done by Vicar or PCC Member.
5. Support proposed new structure of the 7 parishes.
6. Fundraising at present level is supportable. Church usage for other events acceptable. Raise maintenance charges for private services.
7. Form preservation trust.

1. Younger Generations: need to be shown relevance of the Church; use for events to bring the community together; regular Sunday School for Primary School age; use evangelism to teach relevance of Church; teach history of St Mary’s and give them their own space; this busy generation should be asked to put forward specific ideas for involvement other than regular services.
2. PCC to: reduce in numbers, and only those who contribute substantially; get younger members, invite to PCC meetings, and get their views.
3. Services: family service in Benefice at fixed time; make more interesting for younger generation; get into 21st century; family service too cumbersome and less communion; children should choose hymns and take more parts – instruments, hand out books etc;
4. Visiting: plan carefully; ensure new families are always visited by Vicar and get pack.
5. The church building: the Church is for Christ’s people, and not a building. We do not need two churches for Monxton and Amport.

The PCC will now determine the way ahead, and in so doing will need to decide on priorities, and may even consider whether there are things to be stopped. We will do this all in the light of the development of relationships within the new Benefice being formed by the parishes of St Michael’s Andover, our Benefice and the Wallops.
David Mallam, Churchwarden, 9 May 2008

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