About Us

Nestled in the picturesque villages of Rownhams and Nursling, just on the outskirts of Southampton, lie two historic churches collectively known as the Twinspires: St John's Church in Rownhams and St Boniface Church in Nursling. These churches not only serve as places of worship but also stand as enduring symbols of the area's rich heritage and community spirit.

St John's Church, Rownhams

Constructed in 1855, St John's Church is a quintessential example of Victorian church architecture. The building has earned a Grade II listing, underscoring its historical and architectural significance. The church comfortably accommodates up to 150 congregants and features a small gallery in the north transept. Its surrounding grounds provide a serene focal point for the village, and ample parking is available.

St Boniface Church, Nursling

St Boniface Church boasts a rich history, serving as a place of Christian worship since the 13th century, the church has been a spiritual anchor for the community for the communiity.

Community and Worship

The Twinspires churches offer a variety of services catering to diverse preferences:

Twinspires@10: A contemporary family service held at St John's, Rownhams.

Twinspires@11: A traditional Book of Common Prayer service at St Boniface, Nursling.

Twinspires@18:30: Evening services conducted every Sunday at St John's Church.

These services reflect the churches' commitment to inclusivity, aiming to cater to both contemporary and traditional worshippers.twinspires.org.uk

Engagement and Activities

Beyond regular worship, the Twinspires churches actively engage with the community through various events and initiatives. Recent activities have included LEGO Church sessions, Light Parties, and 'Crafternoon' gatherings, all designed to foster community spirit and provide enriching experiences for attendees of all ages.twinspires.org.ukLeadership and Vision

Under the guidance of Vicar Graeme Dixon, the Twinspires churches strive to know Jesus, share His love, and make Him known within the local community. This vision is central to our mission and is reflected in their diverse services and community outreach programs The Twinspires churches of Rownhams and Nursling stand as enduring pillars of faith, history, and community engagement, continually adapting to meet the spiritual and social needs of their congregations and the wider community.

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet at the Church Building (St John's Rownhams or St Boniface Nursling) for our Sunday Service starting at 10:00am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits from 10am, after the service, so make sure to stick around afterwards - it is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up.

Our Service

The main service begins at 10am with a warm welcome from one of our team members. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our band. We typically have 2 or 3 songs lasting approximately 20 minutes. Sometimes a person might pray out loud or read a small passage from the bible. Sometimes people share things that they believe God is saying to the whole church family. This might seem strange the first time you hear it but it’s all part of our connecting with God. We then share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church. One of our leaders will then give a sermon that is bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song. There will always be an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service.

images: Services

What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for kids of all ages:
On a Sunday morning, we have:

Creche (0 months to 3 years). Children under 6 months are welcome but must be accompanied by their parent/carer at all times. This happens at the front of the church.
Sunday Club (4 - 11 years). Starting in the service before moving to the community centre. Children are to be picked up after the service from the community centre.
Icthians (11 - 18 years). A breakfast and bible study with games and community. Happens in the church hall.

Throughout the week we have:

MORE on a Monday night, 7-8:15pm - for ages 16-18 in the Church Hall.
BEACON on a Wednesday night, 7-8:30pm - for ages 12-18 in St John's Church.
IGNITE on a Friday afternoon, 4:30-5:30pm - for ages 4-7 in the Church Hall.
NET on a Friday evening, 6-7:30pm - for ages 7-12 in the Church Hall.

Throughout the month we have:

All-Age Services on the first Sunday of every month.
Lego Church at Rownhams School, on the third Sunday of every month.
Seasonal family events and social events - see Church calender for more information!

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service as we worship (sing songs), together for the first part of the morning. At some point someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. If you are new to Church, you will need to go with your children to their groups and register them as part of our child safety policy.

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

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Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.