The Early Days
Twynham Church, as we know it today, began in a thatched cottage in Bargates during the 1860s. A Miss Lestrange, who had a heart for the children of the area, started a gospel outreach work there.
In the 1870s, Miss Susan Tighe joined what became known as Bargates Gospel Hall. She established a Band of Hope for children and later had another hall built in Jumpers. Around the same time, an additional group also began meeting in Purewell. These early initiatives laid strong foundations for a church with a lasting commitment to children and young people.
Coming Together
In 1948, following the closure of the Scripture Reading meeting opposite the Army Barracks in Barrack Road, the Gospel Halls agreed to purchase the current site so that young people could meet together in one place. Initially, an old metal building on the site was used.
During the 1950s, a new purpose‑built hall was constructed to accommodate the expanding youth work, and the former soldiers’ meeting room was demolished.
Soon after, Bargates Gospel Hall began using the site as a base for the wider church. In the early 1960s, the three Gospel Halls agreed to merge into one church. This led to the construction of a new church building at the front of the site and the founding of Twynham Chapel. The name Twynham comes from the Saxon name for Christchurch, meaning “the town between the rivers.”
Ongoing Development
The church continued to grow and develop over the decades. In the 1970s, a new lounge was built, and in the early 2000s, a loft extension was added.
In 2020, the loft was renovated and transformed into a youth café. Most recently, in 2024, construction began to replace the old Youth Centre with Phase 1 of the Link Project, a new multipurpose sports hall designed to serve both church and community.
Twynham Church Today
The church is now known simply as Twynham Church. While the buildings and facilities have changed over time, the heart of the church has remained the same—serving children, young people, and the wider community.
Looking ahead, we hope to begin Phase 2 of the Link Project in 2026–27, further strengthening the links between church and community.
Our Partnerships
We are proud to support Faithworks Wessex, including its work with the Christchurch Foodbank Plus and we are an active member of the Christchurch Fellowship of Churches