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Daughter Churches - St John's Church, Purewell.
 The
foundation stone of the little mission church at Purewell
Cross bears the inscription: 'To the Glory of God and
in remembrance of her brothers - erected by Mary Long
1880'.
Four years earlier two messuages or tenements, workshops,
fuelhouse and outhouses had been destroyed by fire and
on September 23rd 1880, Miss Mary Long, a local benefactress,
purchased the site for £200. When the building
was completed with eight stained-glass windows, Seating,
reading desk and harmonium, the overall cost had risen
by a further £800.
When the mission 'room' was opened by the Lord Bishop
of Winchester on February 5th 1881 he told the congregation
hat he "knew that Purewell was a long way from
the Parish Church and,if they could not walk the mile,
they could walk a few yards to a place of worship, and
they may think it a blessing".
The first service of Holy Communion, using the newly
installed altar was celebrated by the Vicar of Christchurch
Canon W H Gay MA on March 6th 1928. For 1932 the total
running expenses of the mission chapel were approximately
£22 and the congregation was 55 to 60. Seventy
years later, congregations, which seldom reach double
figures, have to find well in excess of £3000
p.a.
In 1958 the gas lighting was replaced by electric lamps
but we retained and still use two original gas lamps.
In 1978 the American Mason and Hanley harmonium was
replaced with an electronic instrument.
To-day, thanks to the full support of the Vicar the
Reverend Canon Hugh Williams AKC and the Reverend Graham Smith, Holy
Communion is celebrated at 8.00am on the second Sunday
of each month and the Parochial Readers conduct 3.30pm
Evensong every Sunday.
Visitors to St John's are always given a warm welcome
and at the major Church Festivals the little Mission
Church regains something of its former significance
and magic.
David Hewitt C Eng MIMechE, Reader-in-Charge
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