History
St Michael’s Church Building
Our church building originates from the fourteenth century, having been built by the Berkeley family. The presence of the Norman font suggests that there was an earlier Church (although this was reputedly partially built into the North wall in the eighteenth century – reference Pevsners Gloucester). There was certainly a Saxon Church, as the Doomsday Book states “Stoche hath one priest”. This was probably a wooden building, and there would have been some sort of priest’s dwelling. Archaeological excavations have revealed Roman occupation in the parish. Coins found on the site suggest that this occupation was from about AD270-350. This covers the time that the Christian Constantine was emperor, so it is possible that there was Christian worship in the Parish at that time, and almost certainly by the time St Augustine came to England.
The Pre-School and Nursery
The Pre-School at St Michael’s Church began life as a small Playgroup in 1989. Back then we gathered in the Old School Rooms next to the Village Green (which is now home to our wonderful Coffee Shop). In 2003 the Old School Rooms were modernised and enlarged. We moved into a new bigger meeting space. But the needs of the community kept growing and so did our workload. So in 2008, the Pre-School expanded to include a full-time Nursery as well, and we moved into the large Old Vicarage right next to the Church building. We now serve over 100 families each year. We continue to develop our wonderful building and gardens. And we still love nothing more than seeing little children grow and learn as they play together.
HOTC Project
For More info head to our youtube and watch our explainer videos for more information on what the “Heart of The Community Project” was