One hundred years ago, there was a ribbon of development alongside the river, with Bitterne Manor being the most historic area dating back to Roman times. When the first Church of the Ascension was set up in Thorold Road in 1899, the land to the east of it was woodland and farmland. The present church, consecrated in 1926, was built in response to the growing needs of the area.
Much housing development has taken place in the last fifty years, and the daughter church of All Hallows was first dedicated in 1951 to serve the areas of Midanbury and Townhill Park, the latter consisting largely of Council properties with some high rise flats.
The older parts of the parish still retain something of a village atmosphere. There is a mix of older properties (many now divided into bed-sits) and new building.
Parish History
