Welcome to our website. Our mission statement declares that the Parish of Bitterne Park believes in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and is a community dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus by radical inclusive hospitality, healing, reconciliation and wholeness.
We have two church buildings in the Parish; the Ascension Centre, Thorold Road, Southampton, SO18 1HZ and All Hallows Church, Witts Hill.
There's always lots going on at the Church, so have a look at our events page to see what's happening this week.
Every Sunday you are invited to refreshments after the 9.30 am. service or before the 11.00 am. service.
The Ascension Centre has a café and a range of rooms available for hire. It also has some stunning stained glass windows and some fine bells.
A May letter from Graham
"Dear Friends,
Someone in the community said to me recently ‘Did you know that nowyou have those new rooms and a cafe, local people are calling your church ‘The Church of the Extension’? ‘Ha Ha,’ I thought, ‘Very funny!’ However, a week later I received a handwritten note from a member of the public asking for a service at ‘The Church of the Extension.’
The story of the ascension of Jesus – when he was taken up into heaven after his resurrection - is clearly neither well known nor understood. However, at the Church of the Ascension we have a wonderful picture of the risen and ascended Jesus in the great East Window which can help us here. But Jesus ascending into heaven is not the end of the story. Just before Jesus ascended he told his disciples ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’
After the Ascension we celebrate Pentecost on Sunday 27th May, and both of our congregations will come together to seek a fresh outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit to equip us to be effective witnesses – to reach out. In other words, after ascension comes extension.
People may misunderstand, mishear, or perhaps be a bit mischievous about the name of our church in Thorold Road – but in truth we must all be part of a church of the extension – as we reach out to share the good news to all in our community.
Revd. Graham Collingridge"
