St Martin’s Church Acrise offers traditional Anglican worship with a broad mix ministry team.
St Martin’s is an ancient church building set within the boundary of Acrise Place. Dating back nearly a thousand years, St Martin’s continues to retain the simplicity and atmosphere of its original early Norman construction. Comprised of a nave and chancel, topped by massive wooden tie beams and king posts, it lies quietly hidden from the road and is approached through an avenue of trees.
Acrise owes its name to the abundance of oaks that grew on the high ground in the area namely ‘oak rise’ in medieval English. There are still many old oak trees to be found within the parish, which even today has only a small population of around two hundred people. Listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as being held by Ansketel of Rots from Bishop Odo of Bayeaux, it comprised one manor, woodland and a church.
St Martin’s was probably built by Ansketel shortly after the Domesday entry and replaced an earlier Saxon church. Whilst much of the work is now hidden by later 14th century alterations, parts of original windows and priest’s door remain testimony to the early Norman origin. (Adapted from the ‘Friends of St Martin’s)
St Martins is a beautiful place, a place of quiet and tranquillity in an ever changing world. It is a beautiful place to worship, be married, christened or confirmed. It is a place where the veil is thin between heaven and earth.
Please visit us to worship or just to be close to God in whatever way you find God. You will find a big welcome from our regulars.
Our Mission
• To spread the good news of the Gospel to all.
• To offer fellowship to an isolated rural community of all ages.
• To welcome all ages to come to know God.
• To offer a consecrated location for weddings, funerals and baptisms.
• To offer a place of worship to those who feel drawn to the Book of Common Prayer as their main worship style.
Being a hamlet Acrise has a very small community. However, the congregation of St Martin’s at Acrise is drawn from a very wide area, with people travelling from Hawkinge, Swingfield, Denton, Folkestone, Alkham, Capel-le-Ferne and many parts of the Elham valley to seek the style of worship and friendly welcoming congregation at this church.
Our mission is inclusively to spread the Good News far and wide, supporting all ages by offering a traditional service and fellowship.
Current Pattern of Services - See The WORD & Services section for current services
St Martin’s, Acrise holds Holy Communion, led by Priests, along with Matins services, led by Lay Readers, and also occasional Fellowship services and some ‘special services’ led by an Authorised Lay Minister (ALM) or Parochial Church Council (PCC) member.
All our Services, including special festivals, such as Christmas Day, Easter Sunday and Mothering Sunday are held at 09:30. With occasional “specials” in the afternoon; examples of these would be Taize services, Good Friday meditation and passion, Nine Lessons and Carols for both Advent and Christmas.
The first Sunday of the Month Holy Communion is led by the Benefice Priest in Charge, Rev'd. Jane Weeks. The second Sunday is Holy Communion led by a Self-Supporting Minister, Rev'd. Stephen Dougal. The third Sunday is a Fellowship service led by one of our Lay Readers or ALMs and the fourth Sunday is a Family Service, in a 'cafe' style and suitable for all ages, adults and children alike. If a priest is not available to lead Holy Communion on the first or second Sunday of the month, this will be replaced by a matins service led by a lay minister.
Services usually follow the Book of Common Prayer. However alternative ‘special services’ follow other forms of worship, including; Taize, Lessons and Carols, and Hymn Sandwiches.
All ages are welcome to our services with children mixing with retired people freely, although there are no specific facilities for children due unfortunately, to lack of space.
Weddings and Baptism (christenings) may be held in the church.
Social mission and outreach
St Martin’s, Acrise has a varied social life. Including the annual Flower Festival, annual ‘Beating the Bounds’ walk, a patronal breakfast, annual cycle ride, coffee evenings/mornings, Harvest Festival and refreshments after Holy Communion.
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS!
beating the bounds of acrise parish
We will be beating the bounds of the northern part of the parish starting at 11am, after the 9.30am service on Sunday 19th September. Please meet in the church car park. There will be a lunch stop at Sue & Mike Prebble’s home. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead. All are welcome to join us. We should be back to the church by about 2.00pm.
acrise news - september 2021
Acrise Church News: September 2021
Services for September (all at 9.30pm)
Sunday 5th September Matins (Sharon)
Sunday 12th September Matins
Sunday 19th September Fellowship Service
Sunday 26th September Joint Service with Lyminge (at Lyminge)
The weekly Prayer Hub will give details of any changes.
Acrise Church Daily Opening (10.00am – 4.00pm)
Over the past few weeks we have seen the benefits of having the church open.
Because visitors are pleased to be able look round the church many have made donations and sales of goods have also increased. Those visitors I have spoken to have expressed their thanks for the church being open.
We are extremely grateful to Alan Taylor for opening and closing the church each day.
Shepway Foodbank
The donation for August was taken to our local collection point last week and was gratefully received. Many thanks to those who have contributed. Food, household items and toiletries can be put in the containers at the back of the church or in the porch.
The latest list for of most urgently needed items is: tinned fruit, long-life juice, tinned custard, jams/spreads and tinned meat.
FUND RAISING FOR ST MARTINS ACRISE
A mini bric-a-brac sale and raffle is taking place this week. Details of items for sale and tickets are available from Richard and Janet. To covid- safely view/buy these, please contact 01303 893584 (Richard-anytime up to and including 28thAugust) and 01303 892511 (Janet – 9am -5pm up to and including the 27th August). Raffle tickets are 50p each, and will be drawn at 11.30am on Saturday 28th August outside at 12 Harvest Way, Hawkinge
Items to buy range from a lawnmower to books, via lampshades and pictures!
Raffle prizes include a veg box, cheese platter, wine etc
Ride and Stride for Kent Churches: Saturday 11th September.
As this coincides with the Music Day/Fete, Sue and I will do the ride on a different day and will make a personal donation. If anyone would like to add to our donation just let us know.
Beating the Bounds (later in September)
As we were unable to do this as planned last year, we are considering walking the northern part of the boundary as it does not involve crossing MOD land. Sunday 19th September is a possibility but we will decide nearer the time. We would like to keep up this tradition.
acrise news - august 2021
Service with Lyminge on 25th July
Thanks to Deb and all those who worked hard to produce this service of song, hymns, prayers and reflection. Those taking part chose a few of their favourite songs and hymns to perform and explain why they had chosen them. All agreed how difficult it can be to choose favourites. This linked with the idea that God does not have favourites but loves and values all of us.
Services for August (all at 9.30am)
Sunday 1st August Matins in memory of Ken Percival followed by interment of his ashes
Sunday 8th August Matins
Sunday 15th August Fellowship Service
Sunday 22nd August Joint Service with Lyminge (at St Martin’s)
Sunday 29th August Benefice Service at Denton (Pet Service)
The weekly prayer hub will give up to date details.
Acrise Church Daily Opening
The church is now open daily from 10.00am until 4.00pm. We are grateful to Alan Taylor, who lives locally, for his offer to do this.
Shepway Foodbank
Another contribution was taken to the local collection point last week. Demand increases in school holidays when children do not have school dinners, breakfast clubs or school foodbanks to help. The most urgently needed items are now tinned fruit, long life juice, toothpaste, jams/spreads and tinned meat. Thanks to those who have contributed. Food, household items and toiletries can be put in the containers at the back of the church or in the porch.
Church Maintenance
Many thanks to the working party who have cut the hedge between the graveyard and the green, which was quite an undertaking. They have made a good job of this.
Flower Festival
While it was difficult to plan and run a large two day event in a time of uncertainty brought about by the covid pandemic we hope to be able to undertake smaller fundraising events when it is safe to do so. We will let you know when there are any details.
Family Service
We have distributed activity packs to our contact families (16 families and 29 children) for the beginning of the school holidays and will now have a break until early autumn when, if the pandemic situation allows, we hope to have a Harvest family Service or Zoom Harvest Service.
The Produce Team
are still operating and looking for opportunities to sell their goods:
Chutney, relish, pickle, jam, jelly, marmalade
It is hoped to have a stall at church after the 9.30 am service on Sunday 22ndAugust. In the meantime, if you wish to buy any preserves please contact:
Anne BeechamTel. 01303 862729
Email: anne.beecham@btinternet.com
Thank You for your help to support Acrise Church in these difficult times!
Jam jars are still needed and can be left in the green bin in the parking area.
Wildflower Summer
Many people have increased their awareness of the beauty of nature through the pandemic period. This summer has been notable for the profusion of wildflowers that have been seen in the countryside.
In June we walked through this field of poppies to the south of Swingfield village. (see above)
