St John the Baptist Church
Staff

In addition to the Rector the Benefice of Alfold and Loxwood has one Lay Reader: Mr Hugh Bland.

There are two pastoral Assistants who have just completed their training.
These, together with the Rector, form the “Pastoral Team”.
Special Services

To arrange a Wedding or Marriage Blessing, a Baptism or Thanksgiving, a Funeral or a Memorial Service please contact the rector on 01403 752320.

A special Parish Memorial Service is held one Sunday evening in October;

Services of Remembrance are held on Remembrance Sunday (2nd in November).

Christingle Services and Candlelight Carol Services are held around Christmas and New Year.

Other special services are also held from time to time – watch the monthly announcements or the Parish Magazine for dates and times

United Services with the Chapels are held quarterly.

Churchwardens
The Churchwardens for Loxwood are Hugh Beadle (01403 752950) email: hugh@jetnet.co.uk
and Dowglass Cardale (01403 752319 or 020 7385 7621) email: dowglass.cardale@btinternet.com
They will be pleased to talk to you about any aspect of Church life.
Choir
St John’s has an adult choir which enriches the worship services and is always open to new members.  We are without a regular organist and choir leader at present, so contact the Rector for further information.
Regular Events
 
Housegroup
Meetings

There are three housegroups, one in Loxwood one in Ifold & one in Alfold, which meet for Bible Study, Prayer and Fellowship.

For further details please contact the Rector (01403 752320). We also run Alpha courses from time to time.
Prayer meetings

Every Thursday at 9.00 am in Alfold Church and 7.00 pm in Loxwood Church. Folk from both parishes attend either, depending on which time is most convenient for them. All are welcome – the meetings last 40-45 minutes.
For more details contact the
Rector (01403 752320)

Social events
Annual social events such as the Spring Party, Christian Aid Sale, Plant Sales, Summer Fete, Summer Barbeque, Harvest Lunch  and special Christmas events – are popular.  Watch the announcements for details of dates and times.
Loxwood & Alfold
Mothers Union
1st Wednesday every month. For more details contact Mrs Jill Earwaker (01403 752578)
or the Parish Office (01403 753821), email: alflox.parish.off@btinternet.com
St John's History

Our church was completed in 1901 to replace a chapel originating in the 15th century, whose site at the village centre had no room for a burial ground. While perhaps lacking some of the charm of an ancient building, it was in fact designed by a noted architect of the day, is generally regarded as having a “welcoming” feel and has a number of interesting features.

Foremost among these perhaps are the five contemporary stained glass windows designed and made by Penelope Neave and given by Elspeth Riley-Smith of Brewhurst in memory of her parents and husband.

 

The design of the reredos curtain behind the altar includes a peacock (for Paradise), doves (for peace), the Pascal Lamb and cross which is the sign of St John the Baptist, the Sussex Coat of Arms (with Martlets) and an L for Loxwood.

 

Note also the ancient oak pews to be found in the north aisle, at the back of the main aisle and in the chancel. These are said to have been made using only the axe and the adze, that’s to say without saw or plane, and almost certainly date from the original village chapel. To the left of the altar is the Jacobean style Bishop’s Chair donated by another parishioner.

 

The Book of Remembrance beneath the west window was presented by the Parish Council to mark the Millennium; the stand and cabinet were made locally of Ifold oak, felled in the storm of 1987. The village map was designed and executed by a team of local residents.

Link to Hope08

 


Link to Guildford Diocese Website