Our Story
Although separate buildings on two sites, St Giles’ & St George’s, Ashtead is one church.
Part of the Church of England, within the Diocese of Guildford, we are the parish church of Ashtead. This means that we are here to share God’s transforming love in Jesus to everyone who lives within the geographical area of Ashtead. We’re privileged to work closely with St Michael’s (RC) and Ashtead Baptist Church in Ashtead and with local Anglican churches.
The New Testament teaches that church is the people who meet together to worship and serve God. As a church, we’re privileged to be based in our premises. People have worshipped in St Giles’ church since 1115. Through the centuries, the church building has been developed. The church, churchyard and Dell centre (opened in 2016) continue to be a location of active ministry.
In response to the increasing population and the expansion of the railways in the mid 1800s, it was decided to plant a new ‘daughter church’ in Lower Ashtead. In 1882, a small corrugated iron church was built on the current site. A replacement purpose-built church, St George’s, was consecrated in 1906. The last major redevelopment was completed in 2001. Both locations complement each other as we serve the Lord and the people of Ashtead in His love.
St Giles’
Situated on a former Roman site, the church began in about 1115 as a private chapel built by a Norman Lord, Laurence of Rouen. Roman tiles can be seen in the south wall of the nave, the oldest part of the building. The chancel was added in the 13th century. The first known Rector was Robert de Montfort, 1282 to 1319. For 200 years the church had a Vicar as well as a Rector, the latter usually non-resident. There were also chantry priests for a while to say masses for the dead nobility.
St George’s
In response to the increasing population and the expansion of the railways in the mid 1800s, the church council decided to plant a new church in lower Ashtead. In 1882, a small church made of corrugated iron was built.
In 1899, a fund was established to replace the small and cold church with a modern building that was fit for purpose. In 1900 Frederick Peake donated land for the church on the corner of Oakfield Road. After generous contributions from one or two leading members of the church, the response to the Appeal was very slow. In January 1905 a Building Committee was set up and the parish engaged in fund raising activities. Lily, Duchess of Marlborough, opened a large-scale bazaar in May held in a field opposite the Old Rectory. Ashtead’s many young ladies were out in force running stalls and running a hat trimming competition. The Duchess said “it was the first time she had opened a bazaar in a parish where two churches could not contain the congregations.”