A Pilgrimage to Old Alresford Place

On the very hot Tuesday 4th July Wendy Pearce, Pat Millard, Denise Rosser and Margaret Symonds travelled to Old Alresford Place, which was opened to members of the Mothers' Union.

A Parsonage House, belonging to the 13th century Old Alresford Church, was built on the site of Old Alresford Place before the time of the Stuarts.

Among its many famous Rectors were Peter Heylin, at one time a Sub-Dean of Westminster and Chaplain to King Charles I. He came to Old Alresford in 1633 and added many extensions to the existing Parsonage House.

In the early 19th century Francis North, sixth Earl of Guildford held the living in plurality with New Alresford, St Mary's Southampton and St Cross Winchester. He lived in Old Alresford only part of his time (paying a curate a pittance to look after the parish) but he too enlarged the House.

In 1851 the Revd George Sumner arrived with his wife Mary and two little girls, Margaret and Louise, later to be joined by their baby brother Heywood. They remained for 34 years and the Rectory became the hub of village activities, for concerts, choir practices, a choral society, Temperance and other meetings (held separately) for men and women. Mary would not tolerate grumbling and so a loving, joyful atmosphere was created. They employed many servants in the house and grounds as was usual at that time.

With the arrival of their first grandchild in 1876 Mary became concerned with the need to strengthen and support Christian family life. She called a meeting at the Rectory, to which she invited the village mothers together with those of her own social class. Thus was formed the inaugural meeting of The Mother's Union - a union of women whatever their background, race, or social status.

By 1885, following The Congress in Portsmouth, at which Mary Sumner was persuaded to speak by Bishop Ernest Wilberforce (son of Samuel), 1st Bishop of Newcastle, The Mother's Union was launched as a diocesan organisation. It spread rapidly, both at home and overseas.

Later on Old Alresford Place served as a hospital during the 1st World War and in the Second was used as the main office for an insurance company. It was next used as a school for 'severely maladjusted children', which closed in 1961.

It was then that the building was re-purchased by Winchester Diocese as a Diocesan Conference House.  It is ideally suited for such a purpose, being quiet, secluded yet easily accessible. The house with nine acres of land was purchased for £12,300. It was in a dilapidated state but it was still possible to recognise the gracious, elegant house it had once been as the old Rectory of the parish and the birthplace of the Mothers' Union.

This brief history of the house was given to us on arrival by Alison the MU President of Winchester Diocese. After coffee and cake we were free to explore the house with its chapel, library and garden. At noon we joined with other visitors for Midday Prayers. We next visited St Mary's red brick church, closeby. Rebuilt in 1753 the church contains many items of interest to the MU.

We lunched in the Tichborne Arms and went into St Andrew's Church (11th century), with its box pews and separate north aisle, containing many monuments to the leading Tichborne family. A Roman Catholic Mass is still celebrated in this chapel annually. The Church has four beautiful modern windows on the south side.

A leisurely drive home through beautiful Hampshire countryside, with tea in the garden provided by Denise concluded a truly enjoyable and memorable day.

Margaret Symonds