Cirencester Ashcroft Church is a local ecumenical church partnership between Methodist and United Reformed Churches, operating within the Gloucestershire Methodist Circuit and the British Methodist Connexion, and is a member of the URC West Midlands Synod. We are an Inclusive Church Network member, a Fairtrade Church, and an Eco Church within A Rocha UK’s award scheme for churches.
We were formed when the nearby United Reformed Church joined with the Methodist Church in Ashcroft Road over 25 years ago, right in the centre of Cirencester. The building was renovated at that time and adapted to become both a church and community hub. It now supports the church’s church family and its outreach activities, as well as hosting a wide range of local community and social action groups that share compatible values with us, and with many of whom we work collaboratively.
Our central aim is to ‘Celebrate and share the good news of Jesus Christ and the hope of God’s Kingdom with all, as the focus of all we do.’
That’s reflected in our simple statement ‘God for all – a place for everyone.’
We also have close links with the other churches in and around Cirencester. We are, after all, Christians first, who just happen to worship in different places in a diversity of traditions.
We currently have a part-time Methodist Minister and a part-time minister support layworker, a full-time mission layworker, and a team of Stewards and Trustees who together look after our church family, our premises, and most of all, our pro-active, open and welcoming offer of fellowship to all.
We have a distinct emphasis on being inclusive; supporting the poor and excluded; and host a wide range of local community and social action groups. We have a number of our own community initiatives, primarily providing hospitality and support for those facing poverty, exclusion and loneliness; also with pre-school children and their parents / carers. We communicate our faith and outreach offer through worship streaming, printed media, and online presence.
Our main act of worship happens on Sunday mornings at 10.30am, but there are many other opportunities to join us at different times with our prayer and Bible study groups, as well as a Ladies group.
We’d love to see you, and you will be assured of a warm welcome!