WHO ARE WE?
Church of England forms of worship are used for our services and everyone is very welcome to join us.
A congregation from around the world, click on the countries to know more: France, Singapore, Nigeria, Great Britain, USA, Scotland, Ireland, South Korea, Indonesia, Iran, Reunion Island, Fiji, South Africa, Kenya, Mexico, Canada, Madagascar.
We are open-minded, multi-cultural and enjoy exploring the Christian faith in its many and diverse expressions. Our congregation is varied – Working parents with young families – Teenagers – Single adults – Students and research associates at the local University and Medical Schools – Expats and Retirees and more. In 2000, the Aquitaine Chaplaincy celebrated 175 years of Worship in Bordeaux and Aquitaine.
Fellowship and Community activities include ‘Choir‘, ‘Sunday School’, ‘Teen Discussion’, ‘Wine and Words’ and ‘Picnic Play Reading’ groups.
Our services are in English.
Worship and Guitar Lessons
For more information please email: choir.anglican.bordeaux@gmail.com
Social Media
- facebook – English Anglican Church Bordeaux
- facebook – ‘Wine and Words’ Group
- twitter – @anglicanbdx
More Information:
For more information about our Church or fellowship groups then please email: here
HISTORY – St. Nicholas Church : 1840-1989 – and beyond ….
THE FOUNDING OF OUR CHURCH
The founding of the Bordeaux Anglican Church in the Pavé des Chartrons (now cours Xavier Arnozan) took place in 1829 when the Johnston family (ref. note 2 below) donated land in response to the need for a church.
The move from a converted warehouse to a church came in 1841 when St. Nicholas Church was built by Jean Burguet (ref. note 3 below) in response to an initiative by Daniel Guestier (ref. note 4 below) father-in-law to Anna-Eliza Johnston.
The picture to the right was taken inside the church and shows one of the original stained glass windows.
OUR ROOTS
Whilst the roots of the Intercontinental Church Society can be traced back to 1823, its arrival in south-west France in 1873 was significant and under the aegis of the Bishop of London efforts were made to regularise patterns of worship for the English-speaking communities.
The absence of a conventional building for services in no way deterred the growth of the evangelical work of the Church; when ships came into port, services were arranged in the Sailor’s Reading Rooms. (May I add that my grand-father Mr. Edward Cyder looked after the rooms from 1910 to the end of 1918)
DIFFICULT TIMES
From 1940-1947 St. Nicholas Church was closed. Many families were forced to leave and this was a difficult time for all those remaining. (My parents – who were both British – my grand-mother, my brother Eric and myself were part of the refugees as we boarded the last ship leaving from Bordeaux on the 18th June 1940).
A NEW ERA BEGINS
The Revd James Craig was appointed Chaplain in 1947. At that time there were many American families in France and the American Chaplain also took services at St. Nicholas.
St. Nicholas became a spiritually vibrant centre of worship: bible study, Sunday School, Women’s Guild, special services and sales of work thrived.
The photograph was taken on Armistice Day, 11 November 1947, in front of St Nicholas Church, Pavé des Chartrons (now cours Xavier-Arnozan). Note the side view of the cross at ground level next to the Union Jack flag. The cross is now at the Allied Forces Cemetery in rue Bahus, Talence, Bordeaux.
THE CHOIR IS FORMED
In 1982, the Chaplain Arthur Harvey decided to start a choir. Even though there were only three volunteers – Freda Perris, Paul Dixon and the Chaplain, the first performance went ahead for Christmas that year.
The photograph of the choir was taken in the 1980’s. Spot the faces who are still in our congregation!
LA CHAPELLE DE L’ASSOMPTION
The Memorial Cross originally in front of St Nicholas, now at the Allied Forces Cemetery in Bordeaux.
When it became apparent that ICS was to sell St. Nicholas Church, due to financial problems, times were difficult for the Bordeaux congregation. However, the Ecumenical Counsellor for the Catholic Church, Père Lanuc, helped the then Chaplain Brian Eaves to find a new church building.
In 1990 it was decided to use the Chapel of the School of the Assomption. We are very happy to be able to worship in that Chapel and entertain very friendly links with the Sisters.
…. AND SO THE NEXT VIBRANT ERA BEGINS
Closing the doors of Saint Nicholas Church opened the doors to new ecumenical relationships. As I said at the time of the sale, why do we have to talk about a building (which was very much loved by many and especially my family who were all baptised in that Chapel) when the Church is God’s people.
Every blessing from the Bordeaux congregation.
Freda Perris (May 2012)
2019 – On Sunday 20th January 2019 we move to the Chapel of Le Bon Pasteur because we had outgrown the facilities available to us at L’Assomption.
2020 – On Sunday 25th October another exciting phase of our growth begins when we move to the Protestant Temple at Talence.
Map
Please see below for the calendar of our Services and Fellowship activities.
The Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Sunday Service and Sermon is pre-recorded and available every Sunday here
Online Morning and Evening Prayers and fellowship activities are also available live. If you would like the live zoom link to gain access and participate in any of the live worship and fellowship events listed below, then please email your request stating which zoom link that you require by ‘clicking’ here
Please use the cursor on your computer or your finger on your phone or tablet to scroll up and down the calendar below.
To view the calendar in week, month or agenda format then click the Week or Month or Agenda tab below. To print the calendar click Print tab