The future of Hambledon’s parish church cannot be assured without new funding, its rector has warned.   The Rev. Simon Taylor took the opportunity, as guest speaker at the annual Parish Assembly, to outline the funding crisis that Hambledon and many other rural parishes face.  Put simply, St Peter’s Church does not generate enough money to pay for itself. He said it currently relies on around 27 “very faithful people” to fund its ministry. They give around £70,000 a year but it requires in the region of £100,000 to run and insure the church, pay the salary and accommodation of its minister and provide pastoral care and support.

Simon arrived last September to take up the position of rector of the combined benifice of Busbridge and Hambledon, replacing Rev Jolyon Trickey  He has to divide his time between both churches. In the current situation there is no money to replace Stephanie Couvela, who was an associate minister with responsibility for Hambledon until she left last year.

Since his arrival Simon has been taking a hard look at the financies of his combined parish. He told the assembly: “We are reaching a point where the future of a local church ministry can no longer be assumed to be secure.”  “The village was incredibly generous when it helped fund the the church room (pictured) a few years ago”, he said, but a new and on-going way of providing future finance was needed.  He pointed out that most people regard themselves as Christian and many would hope to have a parish church available for them for Christenings, weddings and funerals, even if they were not regular members of the congregation.   However, he said that the Church of England could be forced to retreat from the countryside and concentrate its ministry in urban areas unless rural communities can answer the call for providing more money.  It has the additional problem of an ageing clergy, with many close to retirement, yet very few young clergy in training.

He warned that in years to come Hambledon’s church could be closed unless there was a long term commitment to fund its continued presence.  He said there had been a church in Hambledon for 1,000 years. It was now time for a “vision for the future that asks whether this church belongs at the heart of Hambledon.”  He unveiled plans for a Ministry Support Trust, created for local people to give towards their local church; its ministry, care, buildings and resources.   Details of the trust were handed out at the assembly. Information forms about the trust can be obtained from the church office by ringing 01483 421267.