About Us 

Whether you have been a Christian for years or you are just exploring what the Christian faith is all about, there is a place for you here.  At the heart of the Arle Valley Benefice is the belief that the Lord Jesus is alive and that as we meet him we are changed. Healing love and hope begin to replace fear and self-preoccupation.

We are a Benefice of four parishes, within the Diocese of Winchester, made up of people from all walks of life. We aim to be an intergenerational church at the heart of our community in which everyone can flourish, and where people can discover the extravagant love of God. 
 

What is a Benefice?

The word ‘Benefice’ just means a group of parishes that have come together to form a single operating structure. The Benefice was formed in 2006 under the banner of The Arle Valley by joining the existing benefice of Alresford and Ovington with that of Old Alresford and Bighton when their priest retired.
 

Which Parishes make up the Arle Valley Benefice?

The largest Church is St. John’s in New Alresford, serving a strong small town community and providing various groups to help the Priest serve the people of the parish.

St. Mary’s at Old Alresford has the second largest population and has the privilege of being the home of Mary Sumner and the Mothers’ Union. The one time Rectory in which Mary lived is now as Old Alresford Place, former home to the Diocesan offices.

The parishes of Ovington and Bighton are much smaller but both have strong community spirit reflected in regard to their parish churches.

What are we like?

We are a church family that is made up of people from very different and varied church backgrounds. We try hard to make new people feel welcome, and to care for one another with love and kindness. We don’t always get things right and we don’t have all the answers, but we do try to be faithful Christians, living lives in our local community that reflect the teachings of Jesus.   

Sunday mornings begin with a warm welcome and an invitation to join us in celebrating the good news about Jesus Christ. Our worship is varied to meet the needs of our village communities and encompasses the traditional and the modern approaches to worship. Whatever the mode of worship, we expect God to meet with us and speak to us.

Our church is involved in community groups and schools work, particularly Sun Hill Infants, Sun Hill Juniors and Perins School.   We also support several mission partners who work both in the UK and abroad.
 

Are you new to the church or the area?

If so, you are very welcome! Please do check out our New to Church page to get all the information about what goes on at our church.