Parishioners of All Saints, Viney Hill, may well be proud of their Parish Church, as it is beautifully situated on the southern border of the Parish at Viney Hill, beside the road which runs from Yorkley to Blakeney.

Bothe the Church and Vicarage were built in the year 1866 by the generosity of Mary Bathurst (widow), of Eastbach Court, Coleford.

A small endowment for living was provided by Mary Bathurst and the Rev. William Hiley Bathurst, of Lydney Park.

It is interesting to note in passing that the well-known and well-loved hymn ‘O for a faith that will not shrink’ was written by the above Rev. William Hiley Bathurst.

The Church was consecrated on April 25th 1887, (is this date correct? – did they wait 20 years to consecrate the church? – Ken Morse) by the Lord Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, the Right Reverend Charles John Elliott.

We can well imagine the joy of villagers of Viney Hill at having a Church in their own village, for, previous to the erection of All Saints Church, the nearest churches were All Saints Blakeney, St.Mary’s Lydney, and St Paul’s Parkend, which formerly was the Parish Church if Viney Hill.

Before the erection of the Church, however, services were held in Viney Hill School, the singing being led by the local Fife Band.

The Advowson – or the right of presentation to the living – was vested in the Rev. William Hiley Bathurst, and in his heirs and successors. This right of presentation continued in the Bathurst family until the year 1936, when the Right Honourable Viscount Bledisloe, P.C, G.C.M.G, K.B.E., of Lydney Park, transferred the patronage by ‘Deed of Gift’ to the Master and Fellows of the Great Hall of the University commonly called University College, Oxford. The Master and Fellows of this college are the Patrons of the living at the present time. The last priest to be presented to the living under the original patronage was the Rev. Charles Richard Williams, who was presented by the Right Honourable Viscount Bledisloe, P.C, G.C.M.G, K.B.E. The Rev. Emrys Evans, B.A., was the first priest presented by the Master and fellows if University College, Oxford in the year 1950.

The parish has been well served by very faithful priests, an eloquent tribute to the conscientious manner in which patronage has been exercised.

The writer has personal knowledge of the last six priests, having been privileged to serve them and the Church, during their vicariates. As a lad, he remembers the Rev. E.S. Smith and as a young man – although not closely connected with the Church at that time – he is fully aware of the splendid work done by the Rev. Edward Roberts and Mrs Roberts, during the four years Mr. Roberts was in charge of the Parish.

The Church, standing on ground which is slightly raised above the level of the road, and surrounded by the graveyard, must give to all who pass by a sense of security and peace.

Entering the Churchyard, we follow the short path to the main entrance of the Church, which is on the south side, where we see the open Porch, which, unlike many ancient Churches, has no seats. Before entering we walk around the Church and notice the building.

The East End is in the form of an Apse. The Apse is surrounded by a Turret from which hang two lovely toned bells, tuned to the notes of E flat and B flat. These were cast by Messrs Mears of London, and were given by the Rev. William Hiley Bathurst.

Although only two in number, it is pleasant to hear them ringing out the Merry wedding peel, or ushering in the New Year. When rung singly, too, for public worship, they are a pleasant reminder to all who have ears to hear.

I well remember, many years ago, an old man who was going along to Mattins, stopping in the road, putting up his stick and saying to me as I overtook him: ‘Listen! That bell is saying to me, Come, Come, Come’. What an illustration of simple faith. The old man could hear the voice of God calling him to worship through the ringing of the Church bell.

Walking on around the Church to the West End, and standing a little way back, we note the main body of the Church, which is the Nave and South Aisle. The North Aisle is missing, but the structure of the Nave is such that the north wall could be extended and a North Aisle added if the need should some day arise.

The windows of the Church are generally narrow, the west window being the largest and cruciform in shape. The glass of all the windows is of greenish tint, with the exception of four of the five windows in the Sanctuary. These four are of richly coloured glass.

Viewing the Church from the outside when it is lighted on a winter’s night, one gets the impression of a huge lantern, due no doubt to the Apse on the East End, and the narrow windows. The writer sees in this a symbol of that ‘Light that is a lantern unto our feet’.

Returning to the Porch we enter the Church and immediately on our left we see the plain stone Font with its heavy oak cover. The copper Ewer at the Font was given by Mr. and Mrs. Donald Johnson.

The Pews of the Nave and Aisle are of plain pinewood, but very comfortable, as are also the choir stalls.

The Church is lofty and the roof supported by fine round pillars, surmounted by graceful arches.

The Nave and Aisle accommodate 400 worshippers. Walking up the Nave we come to the Chancel steps. On our left us the Pulpit, which, like the pews, is of pine wood. The Organ a little to the left, is built in a recess. It is of good tone, although old, and was built by Messrs Liddiatt, of Leonard Stanley, Glos. It was purchased during the vicariate of the Rev. Edward Roberts.

On our right stands the Lecturn, which is of brass, and in the form of an Eagle with outspread wings on a brass column and base. Reading the inscription we find it was presented to the Church by the Rev. Edward and Mrs. Roberts.

The Vicar’s Vestry is on the north side of the Choir Stalls, and the Choir Vestry on the south. The Clergy Stall is on the south side on the Chancel. The Processional Cross of brass was presented to the Church by the Johnson family in memory of their brother, Gilbert.

Coming to the Sanctuary, we are at once struck by the beautiful representation of the Crucifixion in the centre East Window. In fact, this window dominates the whole Church, reminding the congregation of the great At-one-ment between God and Man. Those who have seen this window, when the rising sun is shining upon it, or at night, when the pale moon lights it up, cannot fail to wonder at at its beauty, and feel the spiritual significance of the scene.

This window was erected to the memory of the first four Vicars of the Parish who had passed to their rest, viz. the Reverends Samuel Edwards, Samuel George Edwards, B.A, Edward Samuel Smith and Canon Wilson Aylesbury Roberts M.A. A brass plate with their names inscribed is on the north pillar of the Chancel Arch.

On either side of this centre window there are representations of – Moses, on the north, and Elijah on the south. The figure of Moses, representing the Law was erected in memory of Mr and Mrs Hartley James, of ‘Tomlin’. That of Elijah – representing

The prophets – was erected in memory of those of the Paris who gave their lives in the 1914-18 war. A brass plate with inscription relating to the window representing Moses is on the north pillar of the Chancel Arch, while near the south pillar there is a memorial plate inscribed with the names of those who made the supreme sacrifice.

The window at the extreme south end of the Sanctuary represents the Apostle St. Paul, and was erected to the memory of Joseph Lowe by members of the family. Mr. Low served the Church for many years as Sexton a Verger. The inscription is at the base of the window.

The window at the extreme north end of the Sanctuary is of the ordinary glass of the Church, but the approved scheme is for this window to be replaced at some future date, by a representation of St. Peter.

The scheme for the five Sanctuary windows when completed will then show, in the centre our Lord making Atonement upon the Cross, and on each side the representatives of the Law and the Prophets – Moses and Elijah who foretold His coming; and  on the extreme north and south sides, representations of SS. Peter and Paul, who proclaimed that the Messiah had come.

The Altar – the centre of our devotion – is made of solid oak, and has a beautiful red floral frontal, presented by Mrs Edward Roberts, the pattern being embroidered by the donor with the help of Miss Bathurst.

The plain Altar Cross was given by the local branch of the Church of England Men’s’ Society.

The Altar vases, together with the Sanctuary carpet, were given by Mrs Edward Roberts, as were also the Sanctuary curtains.

Other gifts to the Church include the Sunday School Banner – depicting the Good Shepherd – which was given by parents and friends of the Sunday School.

The Altar Candlesticks were given by Mr. Robert Williams, of Parkend, and the Credence Table was made and given by Mr Gilbert Johnson.

The Wardens’ Staves of Office were given by Miss Frost, of Allastone Mesne, in memory of her mother.

The oak shelf and flower vases beneath the War Memorial plate were given by Mr J. H. Lancaster.

During the year 1952 the Church was enriched by the following gifts, viz:-

(1)   Candle Snuffer by Mr and Mrs V.S Jonson and Mr and Mrs Maurice Johnson.

(2)   Silver Chalice and Paten by parishioners and friends, in memory of the late Vicar, the Rev. Charles Richard Williams – Vicar 1922 – 1950.

(3)   Lectern bible with inscription, also in memory of the Rev C.R.Williams presented to the Church by Mrs Williams.

(4)   The Notice Board in the Church Porch was given by Miss Griffiths of Yorkley, in memory of her mother.

On Sunday, January 13th 1952, the Vicar, the Rev. Emrys Evans, dedicated the Electric Lighting system. This replaces an Acetylene Gas system installed 40 years ago by Messrs Penley Werrett.

Generally speaking, although the Church possesses no ornate furniture, it is very beautiful and has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

Our thanks go out to those who, by their gifts, have helped to enrich our beloved Parish Church.

May the spirit of giving to the Church we love, continue in the future, that it may become more and more beautiful, and more and more worthy of the God we worship.