The Handbell Ringers of Hope Bowdler were formed in 1887 and were once the best known in South Shropshire. They appeared on public platforms on numerous occasions and made it their practice to travel around at Christmas and New Year performing seasonal selections. They once won first prize in a handbell contest at Ditherington Show and later performed before an audience of over 600 at Cheltenham College. There were eight ringers including the conductor and they used 52 bells covering four chromatic octaves. At the same time as the Handbell Ringers were founded a local collection was made and a new commemorative bell (cost £140) was installed in the bell tower to celebrate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria

In 1903, temporary tenants in the Rectory ran the ‘Hope Bowdler Pension,’ taking in paying guests. They advertised as follows: ‘Hope Bowdler is a small village, 730 feet above sea level, situated amongst the beautiful hills of Church Stretton. It is a most delightful Summer and Winter resort. The scenery around is not to be surpassed in the county. A walk of ten minutes from the house brings you to the top of the hill where one gets a grand panoramic view of Church Stretton, the surrounding hills and valley.’ Terms were from 30 shillings weekly, which included, breakfast, luncheon, afternoon tea and dinner.

In 1905, when the Revd. Arthur Percy Matthews began a forty-five year association with Hope Bowdler the village consisted of the Church, the Church School (built in 1856), the Vicarage, Hope Bowdler Hall, a large farm, a carpenter-wheelwrights shop, a blacksmiths and a number of cottages. During this time the two most significant days of the week were Sunday and market day. On Sundays, the majority of people who lived in the parish attended church. ‘Most of the congregation arrived on foot and on dark nights they carried hurricane lamps which were left in the church porch during the service.’ On market day in Church Stretton those who wished to buy, sell or barter would depart early in the morning in their gigs and traps.

In 1908, Revd. Matthews saw the need for a church room, where the activities of the church could expand and the community could meet. The Patron of the church Mr. Ralph Benson agreed to build the room if the Parish would furnish it. For many years, practically all the social life in the village centred on this room and the church. A Dramatic Society and the Hope Bowdler String Band flourished under the guidance of Revd. Marshall who was a keen musician and composer, a talent he probably inherited from his father Revd. T. R. Matthews who composed many of the Ancient and Modern Hymn settings.

The 1920’s saw an extension to the churchyard. In addition, a new oak frame was fitted in the bell tower and two new bells, cast by John Taylor of Loughborough, were installed - making a peal of six bells. The new bells were dedicated on 11^th January 1929 and were donated by Philemon & Elizabeth Jones and A. & H. A. Batchelor.

In 1927, the annual accounts record:
Church collections - £19. 4s.9d
Social collections - £25. 0s.5d
Grants and donations - £ 3. 5s.5d.
Deficit (for the year) - £ 6.17s.9d

The census of 1931 records 142 people living in the Parish, only 12 more than in 1801.

In 1948 the Church School, designed to accommodate 48 children, closed when numbers fell to just 20 students.

The choir was reformed in 1951. Although it has rarely had a regular membership of more than ten voices, all four parts, soprano, alto, tenor and bass have always been represented by keen singers. As well as services at Hope Bowdler, the choir also join with the Cardington choir for special occasions and perform every year at Lichfield and Hereford Cathedrals.

Inside the church, various plaques record improvements that have been installed in memory of past parishioners and incumbents. Amongst them is the vestry screen in memory of Revd. Arthur Percy Matthews, incumbent for 45 years until 1950 - the hymnbook shelves are in memory of his wife Mary. The organ bookshelves are in memory of Thomas Croxton, while the original chancel carpet, was donated by grateful pupils and parishioners in memory of his wife Marion Louise - who for many years was Headteacher of the village school. A bookcase is in memory of Violet Everett and a painting of St Andrew’s Church, which hangs in the vestry, is in memory of former churchwarden W. A. Plummer. The two churchwarden’s staves are in memory of Geoffrey Hyatt and his co-warden John Barrett. In 1964, Mary Ellen and Fanny Jones provided a clock for the tower in memory of their family.

In 1967, a new team revived the art of handbell ringing under the instruction of a local schoolteacher Ralph Oldham. They performed an average one concert a month in the locality and were much admired for their musical ability. The team’s activities ended when Ralph approached retirement.

From 1952 until 1965 the benefice was held jointly with Acton Scott, and then a different amalgamation linked Hope Bowdler with Eaton under Heywood. This has now expanded to include Rushbury and Cardington; and these four rural parishes are served by the 44^th incumbent of St Andrew’s Church the Revd. Jill Groves.

A new rectory was built in 1970 and the rambling old rectory with 22 rooms, which was once home to Revd. Riou Benson, his wife Mary, 13 children and numerous live-in servants, was sold as a private house. In the same year a new two manual pipe organ was installed in the church.

In December 1999, a new roof was installed under the watchful eye of churchwardens Tom Leake and Peter Allworth, while an on-going programme of structural improvements and routine maintenance continues to take place. Increasing costs involved in the maintenance of an ageing building and the escalating burden of the Parish Share have made the financial prospects a challenge - which we pray we can answer.

In 2001 St Andrew’s, was shortlisted in a Best Kept Churchyard in England & Wales competition. The judges were particularly impressed by the wide variety of floral growth . According to a 1999 survey, 66 different species of plants were noted.

On a positive note, the numbers in the congregation are rising - a junior choir has been established to compliment the senior choir and a band of bell-ringers continue to provide a rousing peal at every service. In 2002, under the guidance of the Revd Jill Groves more people from the 'Four Parishes' were confirmed than in the rest of the Deanery combined.

In June 2003 over 600 people attended the inaugural Hope Bowdler Flower Festival and Open Gardens Weekend, which proved to be both a financial and a social success.

The 'Four Parishes' of Hope Bowdler with Eaton-under-Heywood, Rushbury and Cardington, now work together, continually exploring ways of supporting and encouraging one another. A variety of collective activities and resources traverse the Parish boundaries and as a result, each Parish shares in the strength of being in a group of four, whilst still affirming and celebrating an individual identity.