St Mary
Stapleford, Wiltshire
Situated above the River Till on the southern edge of Salisbury plain.
Built in 1905, the church is on three levels. Up a few steps from Wharncliffe Road is the worship area, a traditional space with comfortable, well padded pews and glorious stained glass windows, and the Parlour, a room with a refreshment bar, and a disabled access toilet. Downstairs, accessed from a drive off Albert Street, is a large hall with ten well lit rooms opening off it, a kitchen, a conference room and lots of toilets. On the middle floor are rooms used by the Sunday School, the office, and storage rooms. The glory of the church is its windows. Facing you as you sit in worship is a huge picture of Jesus as the good shepherd, flanked by his disciples. The colours are rich and glowing, and you will find something new in the detail of the glass every time you gaze at it. In one transept is a similarly spectacular window showing the Good Samaritan, again in great detail and colour, and in the opposite transept, various figures, both Biblical and allegorical. Smaller windows in the worship area show Jesus with children, the centurion's servant story, and a recent addition, a peace window in memory of the son of one of our fellowship. The church organ is an excellent instrument, kept in good condition and played most weeks by our resident organist. The church started life as a Congregational church, and the ground floor is typical of its date, the small rooms being used as Sunday School rooms. Nowadays they mostly house equipment used by the Toddlers group, Scouts and Guides, and a thriving Exercise for the Heart group. In one room is Carole's Cupboard, to which people bring anything saleable, and find their own needs, be they books, toys, clothing or furniture; there is an honesty box. The building has gardens at the side and a Messy Church raised bed at the front. The side gardens are accessible through a gate off Albert Street, and are a pleasant place to spend a quiet time.
