Vicar of Dibley church to become home to conservation centre

A small rural church used in the opening titles of the ‘Vicar of Dibley’ TV series is to become home to a groundbreaking Christian conservation project.

Lewknor church (pictured) in Bucks is hardly used except on Sundays and the Revd Simon Brignall had been approached by conservation groups asking about the possibility of using part of the church as an exhibition centre and venue for visitors and walkers.

Situated in the beautiful Chiltern Hills, the area is a magnet for walkers.

Team vicar Simon had a vision to establish an ‘A Rocha’ project in the area. A Rocha is a Christian charity which works to express God’s love for all creation through conservation projects. It was started in Portugal in 1982 and now works in 15 countries.

Simon said: ‘I had wanted to find a project that will bring together the rural church, local communities and conservation organisations, to show God’s love for creation which is very much A Rocha’s ethos.

‘Obviously we are right at the beginning but eventually Lewknor Church will be fitted out with an exhibition area, kitchen and toilets, while still being used as a place of worship.

The project has now received the formal backing of the Lewknor PCC and the Diocese.

It aims to work with local conservation organisations, form links with schools and work in partnership with Sage, Oxford’s Christian environmental group, to promote creation inspired worship. Simon will now divide his time between working for the team ministry and setting up the project under A Rocha’s management.

The official launch will be on 11 May, with the Bishop of Dorchester, Rt Revd Colin Fletcher, presiding.