Areley Kings, St Bartholomew

St Bartholomew's church has an ancient and interesting history spanning 800 years of continuous worship. It forms part of a larger conservation area, consisting of the former Queen Anne Rectory, the Tudor Church House, a Victorian Outstout and the church itself. It is built principally of sandstone with a tower, standing in a prominent position on a hill, central to its own beautiful churchyard in which are seats from where visitors can enjoy the magnificent view over nearby rolling Worcestershire countryside. The church is a grade II* listed building. It has Norman features, preserved within its Medieval, Georgian and Victorian structures. The Victorian extension to the nave and the creation of a north aisle and vestry, which was completed in 1886, is by far the most ambitious project to be carried out in the church's recent history, but each previous and succeeding generation of worshippers have left their mark.

Unusually the church is entered through the south porch at the base of the tower. Above is the ringing chamber from where the six bells (originally hung in 1867) call people to prayer and worship. On entering the church, to the immediate left is the Layamon font, the base of which was found in pieces during the building of the Victorian extension. Layamon was the first recorded priest at Areley Kings, most famous for writing an early history of England known as "Brut". Other interesting features include the modern Grice window at the west end of the north aisle, which creates vibrant spirals of coloured light, and a most unusual and beautiful plain glass east window in the sanctuary, reminding all who look through it that mission and ministry go well beyond the walls of a church building.

Postcode: DY13 0TB

Website: www.stbartholomewsak.f9.co.uk

Opening Times
Daily, 8am – 6pm
During winter this is limited to daylight hours

Telephone: 01299 826 011

Service Times

1st Sunday	8am	Holy Communion – Order Two
	10am	Family Communion
	6.30pm	Evening Service (variable)
2nd Sunday	8am	Holy Communion – Order One
	10am	All Age Worship
	6.30pm	Holy Communion – Order One with Hymns
3rd Sunday	8am	Holy Communion – Order Two
	10am	Choral Parish Communion
	6.30pm	Evening Service (variable)
4th Sunday	8am	Holy Communion – Order One
	10am	Choral Parish Communion
	6.30pm	Evening Service (variable)
5th Sunday	8am	Holy Communion – Order One
	10am	Variable
	6.30pm	Evening Service (variable)
Weekdays	8am	Prayer
	6.30pm	Prayer
Wednesday	10am	Holy Communion (alternating with Areley Kings Methodist Church)
		Coffee and Fellowship after 10am services on 2nd and 4th Sundays