The CU is a mission team seeking: 'To give everyone at Bath University the opportunity to hear and respond to the good news of Jesus Christ.'
We are certainly not a church and cannot begin to offer some of the great things being part of a Church brings. We believe it is so important for all our members to be regularly attending a church for a number of reasons:
We are certainly not a church and cannot begin to offer some of the great things being part of a Church brings. We believe it is so important for all our members to be regularly attending a church for a number of reasons:
- The CU is constantly changing and you will only be a member for a few years, churches have a long term vision forming a stable setting for your growth as a Christian at University.
- The CU is run by students doing full time degrees, churches have full time staff willing and able to teach and offer you the support you will need.
- The CU is exclusively for students whereas churches are formed of people from all ages and backgrounds allowing you to be a member of a truly diverse family.
- The bible assumes that we will be in a local church (Hebrews 13:7)
Your decision at this point is very important because it will strongly impact these next three/four/five key years in your life and affect your growth as a Christian. So pray hard and think hard! Try not to just tag along with the person next to you in a queue or at breakfast ─ they might not be going to the church that will be best for you! Take a few weeks to decide.
All Christian churches claim to be about the same things but will make some fairly distinctive choices. These will be reflected in the amount of emphasis and time given in their gatherings to the following:
The other notable difference in churches is their size. How do you think you will benefit in being in a smaller church as opposed to a bigger church, and of course, vice-versa? Ask the CU members belonging to each church you visit what it looks like for them to belong to that church. How many people do they know/know them? Who organises what for them? How are they helped to relate the Bible teaching, songs and prayers to their everyday living? What other things do they benefit from? Ask lots of questions and pray!
All Christian churches claim to be about the same things but will make some fairly distinctive choices. These will be reflected in the amount of emphasis and time given in their gatherings to the following:
- Bible teaching
- Prayer
- Sung worship
- The Lord’s Supper
- Gospel outreach
The other notable difference in churches is their size. How do you think you will benefit in being in a smaller church as opposed to a bigger church, and of course, vice-versa? Ask the CU members belonging to each church you visit what it looks like for them to belong to that church. How many people do they know/know them? Who organises what for them? How are they helped to relate the Bible teaching, songs and prayers to their everyday living? What other things do they benefit from? Ask lots of questions and pray!
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Ascension Church Oldfield Park
Ascension is an amazingly welcoming (middle size) Church in the heart of Oldfield Park student land. We are deeply committed to and very involved with our local community, with much prayer and pressing forward as we seek the Lord’s help to connect to different generations. A good number of us go to New Wine. The main morning service is usually at 10.30 am where all ages share together, with a musical mix from Hillsong to Wesley, usually led in harmony by our excellent choir (new musical singers welcome). During lockdown we are on line, but expect to restart physical church this autumn - while still being on line! (our services are recorded on YouTube - just search ‘Ascension Church Bath’ or ‘Ascension Gateway’ on Facebook). People find our teaching deeply thoughtful, practical and inspiring. Daily reflections and input (most days) started during lockdown, which are also on YouTube/Facebook. Small groups meet in the week and past students both UK and international have found good friendship, support and direction through these groups. Claude Avenue, Oldfield Park, BA2 1AG www.ascensionbath.org.uk Contact: Vicar Robert Pimm on 07505 470815 or Letti Prescott in our office on 01225 405354 or office@ascensionbath.org.uk |
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Life Church Bath
Life Church Bath was established by students 50 years ago and continues to be passionate about encountering God's presence through worship, inspirational teaching and authentic relationship to bring cultural change to our city and nation. Every believer is a minister in the Kingdom of God. Life Church Bath meets on a Sunday morning when we gather from 10am for a 10.30am meeting start. Midweek, there is an opportunity to gather as ICONIC, a student and young adult oriented Life Group that focuses on how to Imitate Christ and Influence Culture as well as more in depth discussion on relevant biblical topics. Sunday Services are streamed online and can be found on the Life Church Bath youtube or through our website: https://lifechurchbath.online.church/ Life Church Bath meets in The Forum, St. James Parade, BA1 1UG. More details can be found at www.bathcitychurch.org.uk Contact: connect@lifechurchbath.com Student Contact: Laura Stewart - lls35@bath.ac.uk “I go to BCC because I love the freedom and joy in worship & I saw a real passion for seeing lives transformed by Jesus. Iconic (student group) gave me a safe space to explore stepping into more of Jesus.” |
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Emmanuel Bath
Emmanuel Bath is a church with two central desires: to hear God speak through his Word, the Bible, and for that word to shape everything we are and do. We think that sitting under faithful and relevant Bible teaching is really exciting - and that is what we would love to provide to students in Bath. The primary place for this is our Sunday meetings at 10am and 5:30pm, where we listen to the Bible preached to us book by book and respond in singing and prayer. As we sit under God's Word it shapes us as individuals and as a church together. We also have lunch together as a church every Sunday to which all are welcome, and tea/supper after the evening service. Most of the church family spend the whole day together so we get to know each other very well. Emmanuel is a church family where you will be known and cared for, and you will soon know everyone else too. Being a student is such a unique and exciting time and for students we supplement what we do on Sundays with our weekly Student Bible Study group (SBS) and 1-2-1 Bible studies with older Christians. So if you want to find a local church where you can grow and serve, come and give us a try. Odd Down Community Centre, Odins Road, Bath, BA2 2TL. www.emmanuelbath.org 10am & 5:30pm Contact: Student Worker Tom Underhill - tom@auctor.co.uk Student Contact: Simon Gregory - spg35@bath.ac.uk "What I love about Emmanuel is the emphasis on biblically sound teaching and genuine deep fellowship. What made Emmanuel stand out most was that from the very first day I was treated like a friend and a part of the Emmanuel church family." |
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Freedom Centre UK
We love students here at Freedom Centre UK and see our students as unique individuals with gifts and talents that we love seeing released! As a church, we're passionate about everyone here finding life, hope and a purpose. We believe that Jesus is transforming and church is the hope of the world. We are in such an exciting season as a church so why not come and join us on the adventure as we follow where Jesus leads! Freshers lunches - every Sunday whilst church search is on, we invite you to join us for food after church where you can meet some of our students and leaders and find out more about our church and where we are going! Life groups - we encourage students to join a mid week life groups that run across Bath so they feel more part of church life! There are so many to choose from based around what you enjoy doing; adventure sport, craft, bible study, book club, enjoying food together and much more! Student lunches - we run student lunches that are hosted by families in church as we love our students and families hanging out, getting to know each other and supporting each other! There’s also the chance to get ‘adopted’ by a family which can be lots of fun too! Student socials - we love seeing students connected to each other and highly value having fun, so we have lots of fun socials planned for this coming year! We are a Hillsong Network Church and have many outward looking projects to help the local and wider community. Sunday services are at 10.30am and 5pm.
Venue: Freedom Auditorium (behind Freedom House next to McDonalds) Lower Bristol Road, Bath, BA2 1EP Website: www.freedomcentreuk.com
Facebook: FreedomCentreUK Instagram: @freedomcentreuk Contact: dannii.gray@freedomcentreuk.com Student Contact: Will Allen - wisa20@bath.ac.uk “I love Freedom because of the authentic, kind and caring people there. I’ve had the pleasure of joining the worship team, and have grown so much in my emotional maturity through the teaching of our pastor Betsy (who often teaches, relating The Word to the current mental health crisis).” |
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HTCD (Holy Trinity Combe Down)
We are a vibrant Word & Spirit church family based across the City of Bath. Our passion is to see people and communities transformed by Jesus, and we love to welcome new people! Through clear Bible teaching, worship and ministry led by the Holy Spirit, we want to grow in faith and become more like Jesus. We have a passion for students and the raising up of young leaders! We believe that Jesus is the Hope of the World and our desire is to serve God in our community and bring others to know Him too. Our student ministry includes weekly small groups and socials, student lunches after church, spiritual mentoring and fun weekends away. If you are interested in finding out more, please visit our website and get in touch. We’d love to hear from you! Sunday Service: 10:30am Location: HTCD, Church Road, Combe Down, Bath, BA2 5JJ Contact: students@htcd.church (Charlotte & Ben Dawes) Website: htcd.church Student contact: Daniel Halliday – drh37@bath.ac.uk “I love HTCD for three main reasons: (1) Teaching. HTCD is a church that is committed to delivering teaching that is grounded in the Bible. The teaching both challenges and encourages, helping me to grow in my faith. (2) Worship and Ministry. Worship and ministry are key parts of a service at HTCD. They are led by the Holy Spirit and offer time to meet with God. (3) Community. Since first attending a service at HTCD I have always felt incredibly welcome. There is a strong sense of belonging to a Christian family who always support and look out for one another.” |
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Living Hope
Living Hope is a friendly and welcoming church family, who love Jesus and one another. We are known for being a loving community of friends, with a focus on encouraging one another in our Christian faith to live with Jesus at the centre of everything that we do. Part of the Newfrontiers family of churches, we started meeting together in a home about ten years ago, mostly with students and recent students, without intending to plant a church. But God had other plans, and we have loved being a church home for many students over the years. We have kept our church with a home feel, with a focus on friendship, informality and everyone taking part. There are currently about 50-60 of us who are part of Living Hope. We meet in small groups in the week and we meet at a community centre on Sunday mornings, to encourage one another with teaching, worship and friendship. We love teaching one another from the Bible and we expect to be Spirit led and gifted in all that we do. We are quite a young church, with lots of young children at the moment. The children are involved and around in all our times together, so noisy and unpredictable meetings are the norm! Students at Living Hope are fully integrated and a part of our family life, often in and out of family homes, helping with children, babysitting, encouraging one another and part of small groups. There are many wonderful churches in Bath, and if you are looking for somewhere small enough to be known well, and where you can participate and contribute, Living Hope might be the place for you. We would love to welcome you. Meeting time: Sunday 10.45am, starting with coffee, pastries and cookies Location: Percy Community Centre, New King Street Website: www.livinghopebath.org Contact: admin@livinghopebath.org Student contact: Jacob Taylor jt960@bath.ac.uk “Living Hope is a small, charismatic, family church, which is part of the New Frontiers network of churches. A great place to find community and fellowship." |
Maurice Pullin [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], Via Geograph
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Oldfield Park Baptist Church
We are a welcoming, growing church comprising all ages, incl. students, actively seeking to be good news as we serve Christ in the community of Oldfield Park. We meet on Sundays at 10:30am for worship, which includes a mix of contemporary and traditional style songs, and for clear and relevant Bible teaching. If you want to be a part of a warm hearted Christian family and get involved in ministry and mission there are also plenty of opportunities with us, from helping with music on a Sunday, to getting involved in a home group, to helping out with kids or youth work. We'd love to welcome you! 10:30am The Triangle,Oldfield Park,Bath,BA2 3LF www.oldfieldparkbaptist.org.uk Contact: Mark Cooke (Minister) m.s.cooke@btinternet.com 01225 462737 |
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St Bart’s
We are a vibrant Evangelical Anglican church in Bath, where you’ll find people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds, committed to learning from the Bible, as we seek to love and serve Jesus Christ. At our main site in Oldfield Park, we usually have services on a Sunday at 9:30am, 11:15am and 6:30pm. Our Riverside Congregation meets nearby in Hayesfield School, Brougham Hayes at 10.30am. We offer lots for students throughout the year including Focus, our student Bible study on Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm; Student Lunch, which runs straight after the 11:15am service on a Sunday, our Student Getaway in February and a Student Discipleship Week in June. We look forward to welcoming you into our church family. Details of our current online and in-person service plans can be found on our website and via our social media pages, or feel free to get in touch with any questions you might have! www.stbartsbath.org Contact: administrator@stbartsbath.org International Students Contact: Frances Lewis - frances@stbartsbath.org St Bart's Church - 1 King Edward Road, Oldfield Park, Bath, BA2 3PB Student Contact: Katie Freer – kf416@bath.ac.uk St Bart's Riverside - Hayesfield Lower School, Brougham Hayes, Bath, BA2 3QZ Student Contact: Evie Rawes - ehr29@bath.ac.uk “I love St Barts as it is a great place to meet, learn and grow in faith alongside our church family which is made up of a range of different people and groups, as we study God's word and worship him together on a Sunday and throughout the week. There are also countless opportunities to get involved in, in particular our student group on a Tuesday evening, as well as our student or congregation lunches on a Sunday. St Barts Church was the first place where I truly felt settled when I first came to university and I have stayed there ever since!" |
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St Matt's
We are a relatively new Anglican church with an evening service most weeks and a morning service on the 4th Sunday of the month. This church was planted in a parish at the heart of the city and we have a strong vision to build and establish community and reach out with God’s love to our community and city. We want to be a dynamic and vibrant church, seeking to be a blessing to the city of Bath and beyond, with a 3 fold perspective: Upward (Radical worship of God), Inward (Discipleship and community life), and Outward (mission focused towards friends, family, our community , the city and beyond). Our services are informal in the style of ‘New Wine’.. We have midweek Life Hubs and there all sorts of other opportunities to get involved in church life. We long to build an authentic missional community; fully releasing ministers, leaders, preachers and witnesses, whilst experiencing God’s transforming power in our lives together. St Matthew’s Church, Bottom of Widcombe Hill, BA2 6AA www.widcombe.church Services: Evening 4.30pm café, 5pm service 4th Sunday 10.30am service Contact: info@widcombe.church Student contact: Zara Layton – zaralayton@yahoo.co.uk “I love the community at St Matts. We always say that we don't just want to do church... we want to be church. You have a great opportunity to get to know the church family and grow in faith at the weekly lifehubs and monthly pastorates. The lifehubs don't solely consist of students so you get a fuller experience of the Bath community, but we also have a wonderful and close knit student community too! We also love worship and really take time to allow the Spirit to move. (The 5pm services also mean that you can sleep in!)” |
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St Nicholas Bathampton
We are a small church close to campus with an expository Bible teaching ministry. We are not a “student church” - we have only had one or two in recent years - but we have growing numbers of younger people and would love to welcome you if you are a student, and you might prefer a more family-oriented church where you won’t get lost in the crowd. A couple of recent graduates are especially looking out for students to welcome and support. You would get some lunch invitations in “normal homes” after 10.45 church on Sundays. There may be opportunities to serve in church helping with the young people, although we mainly want to support you in your Christian life and witness for Jesus amongst fellow-students, or in your exploration of the Christian Faith if you’re curious but not yet committed. When we start meeting again after Lockdown, you’ll find it's a 15 minute walk down the hill from campus across the golf course (stick to the Bridleway for the most direct route), and we’ll offer you a lift back. But for now all our services are livestreamed on YouTube with Zoom Virtual Coffee following on. St Nicholas Bathampton, Church Close, Bathampton BA2 6TU 10:45am every Sunday www.stnicholasbathampton.org.uk Contact: Jonty Frith - rector@stnicholasbathampton.org.uk |
Philip Halling [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], Via Geograph
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St Mary’s Claverton
This is a very small traditional village parish church that shares a minister with St Nicholas Bathampton. Bath University campus lies within Claverton parish. St Mary’s not hard to find: down the hill past the Cats and Dogs and American Museum, turn left through the village just before the A36 and you should spot it up a steep path. You will probably be the youngest there at 9am on a Sunday but the thoughtful congregation of about 15 will be delighted if you join us and will give you a warm welcome. We are currently meeting again every Sunday and like all churches at present, with face coverings, good hand hygiene, spaced 2m apart, and no congregational singing. St Mary's Claverton, Claverton Village, Bath BA2 7BG 9am every Sunday www.stmarysclaverton.org.uk Contact: Jonty Frith rector@stmarysclaverton.org.uk |
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St Michaels Twerton
This is a charismatic evangelical church on the West Side of Bath. We seek to love God, love one another and to love our neighbourhood with an authentic love which is communicated both with our words and by our actions. Whilst there is a lot that we could and do offer students, including lunches and gatherings, the greatest thing that St Michael’s can offer you is an opportunity to make a tangible and significant impact for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Life Groups offer the opportunity for the community to meet in smaller scattered settings to pray, worship and explore God’s Word and its application for our lives. On Sundays we have a 10.30am gathering to which a diverse cross-section of Bath is welcomed. There is a strong family feel with people of all ages and stages in attendance. We place a high priority on sung worship, on teaching from the Word of God and on praying with one another in the power of the Holy Spirit. We encourage every member to come, to pray, and to serve. WE LOVE STUDENTS. You would be so welcome at St Michael’s. 10.30am every Sunday. #5 bus from town to Twerton. www.stmichaelstwerton.com If you want to know more or just fancy a coffee, contact office@stmichaelstwerton.com Student contact: Mirren Derby – mirren2000@gmail.com “I love St Michaels because everyone is always welcome to join our family." |
Keith Daulby
[CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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St Thomas a Becket
The church community at St Thomas a Becket, Widcombe is traditional in its worship and open in its outlook. We value a traditional liturgy for its time - honoured beauty and it’s reverence, which we find uplifting in mind and spirit. We are strengthened by a sense of Christian continuity, remembering those who have worshipped on this spot for many hundreds of years. We offer a quiet, safe place to encounter God, where everyone has space and time to think- and hear the ‘still small voice of calm’. We are an attentive and thoughtful congregation, open to a range of ideas and scholarship. We like to be challenged, both intellectually and spiritually, appreciating authentic and heartfelt interpretations of scripture. We meet every week in Life Hubs. We work through what it means to be community; to learn more about God, to pray, to worship, laugh and live. Real people living out real faith, in a real world, together. St Thomas a Becket Church, Church Street Bath BA2 6AZ www.widcombe.church Services : 8am & 10.30am Contact: info@widcombe.church |
St Luke's Church [www.stlukesbath.com]
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The Gospel Collective Church
We meet in small communities throughout the city during the week and on Sundays. It's how we love to do life together. Contacts: Dan & Susie Romer (07562 994924), Josh & Katherine Dunbar (07999 3081080), Jon & Jakie Nzakizwanayo (07951 514401). info@gospelcollective.uk https://www.gospelcollective.uk/ Student contact: Joel Lintott – jll68@bath.ac.uk “I love GCC is that it's a small church so it really feels like a close community and people are always really friendly and welcoming. The preaches are always really engaging as well, and it's clear the leadership have a lot of passion for the church and local area." |
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Vineyard Bath
Vineyard Bath is one church meeting across three communities. We meet in Combe Down on Sunday mornings, in the City Centre (launched Oct '19) on Sunday evenings, and are in the process of launching a third community in the Somer Valley area. Our passion is to see our students become a community committed to following Jesus, seeking his transformation in our lives, in the lives of our friends and in our universities, by the power of the Holy Spirit. We currently have a student community of around 50 students. Our student small groups are at the heart of this, meeting every week throughout the term across the city centre, Oldfield Park and on campus. They seek to encourage and inspire one another to get to know Jesus better and go on the journey of being a courageous community who have an impact on our city and campus. We want to be introducing our friends to Jesus, inviting people into the journey of faith, and getting out and "doing the stuff" together! We also meet all together a number of times each term for worship, teaching and ministry, as well as our fun weekend away! Please get in touch with us or check our social media/website to hear what we're doing throughout Covid-19 and for updates regarding online meetings. The Hub, Mulberry Park, Combe Down, BA2 5BU 10:00am Green Park Brasserie - Upstairs Function Room, BA1 1JB 6:00pm (Starting October 6th) www.vineyardbath.co.uk Facebook group: Vineyard Bath Students Instagram: @Vineyardbath Church Contact: Andy Wardrope - andy.n.wardrope@gmail.com Student contact: Rosie Aston - ra880@bath.ac.uk "It’s so hard to explain in a few sentences how much I have loved being a part of Vineyard Bath this year! Vineyard is a church where you will be known, as both the City Centre, and Mulbery Park communities are relatively small and intimate. The worship is incredible, as is the student ministry. I have also loved being part of an amazing small group where I have grown so much closer to Jesus and to the other students!" |
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Grace Church Bath
Grace church bath is a new C of E evangelical church which launched just over a year ago. Our vision for Grace Church was to make church available to everyone, particularly to those who found Sunday mornings a barrier, which is why we meet at 4pm on Sunday afternoons. Welcoming those who visit and attend Grace Church is a huge priority to us and we would love to welcome students from the University of Bath to join us. We are passionate about working to connect with people across Bath and beyond. We want to introduce Jesus to people who don’t yet know Him, and make better disciples of those who do. The Bible is what guides and shapes the kind of church that we are and what we do and we strongly believe that church should be a family with a genuine sense of belonging. We feel this is the greatest thing Grace Church can offer students, especially when family may feel far away whilst at University. We have a growing congregation of 40+ which is formed of people from all ages and stages, all serving and being served with each individual’s gifts. We also encourage everyone to get involved in midweek home groups to develop relationships and to further explore God’s word and how it applies to our lives. Students, you are so welcome to come and visit us at Grace Church Bath! - 4PM every Sunday afternoon - Pick up and drop off services from Bath University campus and further afield St John’s Church, Lower Weston, Bath, BA1 3DD Check out our Instagram and Facebook pages and our website for updates www.gracechurchbath.org Church contact: Bertie & Bethany Kennedy – bertie@kennedy.org.uk Admin contact: Gill Jordan - admin@gracechurchbath.org |
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Widcombe Baptist Church
We are a church committed to God's Word and applying it to our lives. We meet twice each Sunday to hear clear, relevant and biblically faithful preaching and to speak the truth in love to one another in songs, prayer and fellowship. After the morning service, we have talks and discussion specifically for students (called Grounded), lunch is provided. We also run one-to-one Bible studies, teaching Saturdays, Christianity Explored courses, the ever-anticipated Student Weekend Away and more..." Pultney Road (At the bottom of Widcombe Hill), BA2 4JR www.widcombebaptistchurch.org 10:30am and 6:30pm Contact: Office@Widcombe.org Student contact: Anne Evans ae577@bath.ac.uk “Widcombe Baptist Church is a short walk down the hill from campus, and is a fantastic church for fellowship, worship and preaching. I find that the preaching is both encouraging and challenging, with a focus on unpacking the Bible and its application to daily life. They also offer a student lunch and bible study every Sunday, and the Student Weekend Away once a year, so you get to know the other students well. I've loved my time there so far!” |
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