A Church in the Heart of the Community
Here for You
At Gold Hill, we’re committed to serving and blessing the community we’re part of. This is overseen by our Community Pastor, James Simmons, but it’s something we all play a part in.
James Simmons Community Pastor
James oversees the church’s developing work in our community along with various other areas of leadership and ministry. He says:
“Chalfont St Peter and the surrounding area is a great place to live and work. My hope and dream is to see all those in our community flourish. Please join me in exploring how we can make this a reality”
James moved to Chalfont St Peter in 1978, he went to the local Schools and grew up at Gold Hill, and it was here that God called him into full-time church ministry. He trained and then served as a youth worker for 13 years in Reading, before being called back to Gold Hill by God to serve here again. James has served in many areas of church and community life. He is married to Helen and has two children – Sophie and Joshua. He enjoys supporting Watford FC, eating out and catching up with friends and family.
Everyday Community Involvement
We believe faith shapes how we live. Many in our church are involved in all kinds of ways across local life, such as:
- Running or supporting local businesses
- Volunteering or fostering
- Helping at community events like Feast Day
- Serving as school governors
- Leading and supporting at the Chalfont St Peter Youth Centre
The Hub as a Community Resource
Our Hub building is here for the whole village. It’s hosted:
- Immunisation clinics
- Public meetings (e.g. on local flooding)
- A General Election hustings in 2024
We’re always happy to show people around – just pop in! Rooms are available to hire.
We have supported:
- Ukrainian refugees, providing them with a place to gather and with English lessons and employment support
- Chiltern Foodbank, as a drop-off point and distribution hub
- The People’s Pantry, providing fresh food alongside foodbank parcels
Supporting Young People
- At the end of the summer term, we host a Year 6 Retreat Day for help local pupils prepare to move up to secondary school
- Liz (Children’s Worker) and Shona (Children & Youth Minister) visit schools to lead engaging assemblies
- Our Open the Book team brings Bible stories to life through storytelling and drama in local primaries
We have a close partnership with the Chalfont St Peter Youth Centre. Many of the leaders of the Youth Centre belong to the church.
Supporting Creativity, Families and Well-Being
- Unique Like You: pottery classes that help people explore creativity. See details…
- Livability: Saturday meetups for adults living with disabilities
- Together Family: free café and cinema events for families. See details…
- Parenting courses (for parents and carers): including Online Safety, Parenting a child with Special Needs
- The Heavenly Wellness Café: monthly space for refreshments, prayer, and physical healing. See details
- Prayer on the Streets: monthly opportunities to receive prayer.
- Bereavement support through the Bereavement Journey course, the Anna Group for widows (see details…) and our annual White Christmas service.
The church provides leadership, resources and office space to Gold Hill Care. They provide exceptional care and assistance to enable older people, or those who are too ill to maintain their independence, to remain in their own homes.
We also run occasional community-wide events. In the past, we’ve:
- Transformed the Auditorium into Narnia, complete with snow, trees and a wardrobe
- Hosted a synthetic ice rink for a weekend of festive fun
Exploring Faith
If you’re curious about Christianity or want space to explore life’s big questions, we regularly run the Alpha Course — open, welcoming, and for anyone.
Here for you
One of our core values as Gold Hill is People-Focused. This means we are here to serve and support you, no matter what you’re going through. Life can bring many challenges—whether it’s loneliness, depression, illness, financial struggles, bereavement, or the pressures of parenting. We understand that these moments can feel overwhelming, and we want you to know that you are not alone. Our church is a place where you can find the friendship and support you need, whenever life feels difficult.
We believe in walking alongside people through their struggles, offering a listening ear, a compassionate heart, and practical help. Whether you’re looking for someone to talk to, need advice, or simply need a friendly face, we are here for you. Our community is built on the foundation of care and love, and we are ready to walk with you, wherever you are on your journey.
In addition to offering friendship and emotional support, we are also here to share the hope and love that comes from knowing Jesus. We offer the opportunity to learn about Jesus and explore what it means to have a relationship with Him, but we always do so with respect for your beliefs and on your terms. We won’t force anything on you—we believe that faith is a personal journey, and we’re here to walk alongside you at your pace.
If you’re looking for advice or support on life’s challenges, we can also offer practical guidance on a variety of topics, from parenting to financial management. We can point you to a range of programmes, resources, and groups designed to help people thrive in the midst of life’s struggles. Whatever you are facing, we want to help you find solutions and encourage you to keep moving forward.
