GloucestershireNEWENTStMaryVirgin(julianpguffoggCC-BY-SA2.0)1 JulianPGuffogg

St Mary the Virgin

The churchyard site was an ancient burial ground going back to Anglo Saxon times, a buried Celtic cross, dating back to approximately 750AD, now sits proudly in the entrance porch.

Newent, Gloucestershire

Opening times

Sorry, there are no regular opening times for this church.

Address

Church Street
Newent
Gloucestershire
GL18 1AB

By 1080 Benedictine monks from St Mary’s Abbey, at Cormeilles, in Normandy, had arrived, establishing the first Norman church on site, part of the building we see today, and Newent was recorded in the Domesday Book.

The church was enlarged in 1260 and 1361 with a tower and steeple being added soon after. 300 years later a severe storm blew the spire over and it crashed to the ground.

Because of continued weather erosion the spire has had to be rebuilt several times since. In 1674 a heavy fall of snow resulted in the church roof also collapsing. Newent carpenter Edward Taylor, an understudy of Sir Christopher Wren, rebuilt it without the original centre pillars allowing Canon Wood to add the large wooden ceiling that you see today. The craftsmanship shouldn’t be underestimated as it still holds the record for being the largest unsupported wooden ceiling in the country!

The church also lays claim to having a church organ which is truly unique. Built by local craftsman Thomas Warne in 1737 it was credited as being ‘sweet and compleat, and thought to be as good as any of that kind’. Quite an achievement considering he had no training, instruction or direction and it was the first one he’d ever built.

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Social heritage stories

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Captivating architecture

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Space to secure your bike

  • Parking within 250m

  • On street parking at church

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Dog friendly

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Church of England

  • Repair Grant, £10,000, 2013

  • Our Repair Grants funded urgent repair work to help keep churches open.

Contact information

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