Knights
Meadow Church was set up in 1993 as a church plant from St John’s
Kenilworth to increase the number of people we could serve. All
the churches in Kenilworth were involved in the initial plans
to
plant a church, and the possibility of it being an ecumenical
church was explored. Finally, for various reasons, it was decided
it should be a plant from St John’s.
The
vision for this new church, the only one on the east side of the
railway line, was for it to be a lay led missionary church serving
the area of Knights Meadow. The idea to serve an area which bridged
the
parish boundary of St John’s and St Nicholas was given the
blessing and support of St Nicholas Church. On Palm Sunday 1993
members of the whole Parish walked from St. John’s Church
on Warwick Road to
Kenilworth School on Leyes Lane, the home of the new church plant.
Most of the congregation were adults with young children and a
few elderly people; around 20 adults and as many children in all.
The church quickly became known for its welcoming attitude towards
children. The first part of Sunday services included a children’s
talk, enjoyed by all, and high quality children’s work during
the second half of
the service. There were also special events such as Christmas
parties, and after school courses.
Knights’
Meadow has often been seen as low Anglican., because it doesn’t
conform to what some people would see as traditional (high?) Anglican
styles of worship but it does nevertheless hold firm to the core
values and beliefs of the Anglican Church. As such, it has attracted
people who prefer a less formal service, who would otherwise shy
away from the stricter confines of an Anglican service, who might
feel out-of-place in a church building and who value the community
ethos prevalent at Knight’s Meadow. Our members have come
from all denominations and our membership could probably be described
as truly ecumenical and inclusive, which many people would indeed
consider to be one of the hallmarks of the Anglican Church. We
have not been afraid to try more varied and experimental styles
of service. For example, meditative, Celtic, Worship from Scratch
where we’ve just turned up and the whole church has explored
different aspects of worship coming together in a short service
at the end, and Café Church where we’ve worshiped
together and then split into groups to study in a style to suit
everybody’s needs.
In
addition to using the Lower School hall at Kenilworth School we
have used Castle 6th Form College, Kenilworth School Upper Hall,
Escape (Café), The Tiltyard Pub, Park Hill School, and
The Wardens Cricket Club. We enjoy having the freedom to meet
in different venues appropriate to the venture. We have had full
immersion baptisms as far afield as Leamington and Tile Hill and
nearer to home in Abbey Fields and a paddling pool in the school
hall itself.
Knights
Meadow meets at the Lower School Hall of Kenilworth School, Leyes
Lane, at 10.00am each Sunday – but the coffee pot goes on
from 9.30am!
We
have a selection of Small Groups meeting, variously, on each day
of the week.
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