St. Mary the Virgin; Parish Profile 2005 -- The Church

Church Buildings

The Church

History

The church, located in the centre of the old town, was mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086) and has Grade 2* listed building status. The stone structure, built in mixed Gothic or Early English style, consists of a chancel, nave, aisles and tower with spire. The roofs are timber covered with lead. The chancel is 13th century, the nave 16th century, the tower and spire early 17th century. The nave is separated from the aisles on each side by five corresponding high pointed arches. The clergy vestry is off the north side of the nave and the choir vestry at the base of the tower. The organ is in the chancel. The white interior, combined with a variety of beautiful stained glass windows, create a light and bright atmosphere. The Church Commissioners are the Lay Rectors to the chancel.

The Current Situation

The church seats 300 people in pews and up to a further 100 in temporary chairs.

During the last twelve years the following work has been undertaken in addition to ongoing minor maintenance:

1994	Major repair and renovation of the 1859 Bryceson organ at a cost of Ł60,000.
1998/9	Major restoration of the heating system. Raised stone nave platform for the altar and for use as a performance area for large choirs, orchestras etc. Replacement and enlargement of the nave altar. Pulpit removed and replaced by ambo. (Total cost of all works Ł180,000).
2002	Replacement of roof covering and painting internal walls of the chancel. Electrical stop action and combination pistons fitted to the organ at a cost of Ł12,000.
2003	Treatment to roof structure for death watch beetle. Refurbishment of nave light fittings.
2004	Electrical lighting improvements. Repairs to tower steps and addition of handrail to tower staircase. Replacement of ringing chamber floor. Replacement of outer screen door to chancel.
2005	Re-opening the north porch and reinstating the footpath to provide disability access. Highlighting steps and providing ramps to comply with Disability Discrimination Act.

The only outstanding cost is Ł3,750 for the final payment on the work in the tower. Some of the above work was funded by bequests.

The Future

The last quinquennial inspection was in September 2002. The report recommended pointing and repairs to various areas, which are being carried out to a pre-planned schedule suggested by the architect. The work is currently up to date and there are no outstanding bills. Repairs to the lead covering on the north aisle roof are planned for autumn 2005 at an estimated cost of Ł4,000-Ł5,000.

Additional facilities are being planned to meet future needs in the 21st Century. These include:

removal of pews and extension of a level stone floor to replace existing wooden platforms at the west end;
erection of a meeting room, which will also serve as the choir vestry, in the north-west corner;
fitting a kitchen, toilets and storage facilities for additional chairs, portable staging and the Flower Guild, in the base of the tower in place of the choir vestry;
raising the stone floor to replace temporary ramps and removing all shelves and cupboards in the north porch to expose attractive stonework.

The architect’s plans for this work have been approved in principle by the PCC and the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches, and a fund raising scheme has been initiated.