Facilities and features
Accessibility
There is a public toilet at the West end of the church, outside, which is unlocked during the day, and during services. It is suitable for disabled people, and has a baby changing facility.
There are baby changing facilities in the toilet which is situated outside the church, by the West door.
There is car parking available on the street, and directly outside the church. On school days, especially before 9.00 am and around 3.00 pm the road gets very congested, and is best avoided if possible. With larger services it is sometimes possible to use the village hall car park.
The toilet is located at the West end of the church, in a separate building, second door along.
The North entrance to the church, facing the road, has a ramp.
There is a full sound system and induction loop in the church.
Our Building
This Grade I listed building was founded in the twelfth century, extended around the thirteenth century and the bell tower added within the first decade of the sixteenth century. It is an impressive sized church for a rural village, situated on the Isle of Oxney, once surrounded by marshland which is now fertile farmland.
Wittersham church is joining in various Eco projects with other churches from the benefice, currently including our hedgehog house and bird boxes on the church.
Music and Worship
There are eight bells which are regularly rung by local ringers and visitors. Bell ringing practice is on Tuesday evenings, 7.30 pm - 9.00 pm and potential new ringers are welcome to visit.
Wittersham is fortunate in having a full choir with two junior members. Under the leadership of Mr Giles Ridley the choir have performed a number of concerts to raise funds for the church, and generally sing choral evensongs about four times a year, plus other special services at Easter, Christmas and All Souls.
The church organ was refurbished around 2008 and is in good playing order for concerts. There is also a grand piano available.
Wittersham offers the opportunity not only for choral evensong, but, on a monthly basis every third Sunday, a service of Matins with sung responses. Readings are also taken from the King James Bible for this service.
The choir meet every Friday evening (except in August) 6.45 pm in the Tower Room for rehearsal of the Sunday hymns and anthem. Their repertoire centres on Tudor music, but sometimes moves on to the following centuries. New members are welcome, we have sopranos, altos, tenors and bass.
The junior choir, starting at 6.15 pm, is offered and can form the basis of a good musical education. Contact Jennifer Maynard 01797 270804 if you are interested.
Groups, Courses and Activities
In the summer there are the Open Garden Coffee Mornings, which are very popular. They meet in different gardens on a Tuesday at 11.00 - 12 noon. Check out the church notice board inside the door to see in which garden the event will be held this week.
During term time there is a Parent and Toddler Group run from 9.15 am in the church every Thursday morning. All are welcome.
Help for Visitors
There are notes on the church in the racks at the back of the church giving some detail about various points of interest.
The church is open during daylight hours, 9.00 - 5.00pm.
Other Features
The church regularly collects gifts for the local foodbank. A box at the rear of the church is put out during services.
The church has a sound system which links into hearing aids, for use in services.