St Mary's, Great Barrington
Opening Hours |
24 |
Capacity |
200-220 |
Heating |
Under pew heating |
Parking |
In the car park on the opposite side of the road to the church footpath |
Toilets |
None |
Accessibility |
No steps - there is a 'drainage' grid just outside the church door |
Hearing Loop |
Yes |
Microphone/audio facilities |
No |
Wifi/internet |
No |
Bells and bell teams |
peal of 6 bells - fully restored in 2024 |
Organ |
Yes |
Where required, the Church lends itself to being used in conjunction with the large village hall in Great Barrington for family celebrations. Details on the village hall are available on the Barrington Park Estate website, www.barrington-park.co.uk.
About St Mary's
St Mary's, Great Barrington, is an ancient, beautiful church which was restored in 2024/25
It benefits from fine acoustics and an excellent organ, under-pew heating and capacity to seat 200-220 in comfort,
and with no steps to be navigated and a hearing loop fitted it is readily accessible making it suitable for church services, large events and is an ideal venue for family celebrations, weddings etc. .
The Church is open 24 hours. Please feel free to visit at any time.
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"The present Church appears to have been built about the beginning of the Reign of Henry V11 (from 1485-1509) and is dedicated to Saint Mary. It has a Nave, one Aisle and an embattled Tower containing six Bells.
An effigy (of 1620) of a Man in Armour with a Ruff, his sword girth on his right side is extended under the furthest window of the Aisle. This is Captain Edmond Bray of whom there is an anecdote accounting for this peculiarity (of the sword being on the right).
This Church has been much restored and altered at different periods, originally being a Norman building. The South Nave has Clerestory Lights of the same period as the Tower viz. Perpendicular, 1390-1550, as also a window in the North Aisle. The late Early English Arcade of four wide bays has cylindrical pillars with moulded bases and octagonal moulded caps, chamfered arches of two orders hood -moulds. Within the Tower, above the West door is a beautiful canopied 14*h century
Niche with bracket.
The very fine old oak nave roof with good carved Bosses is of the Perpendicular period; note also the Corbels. The Chancel Arch, by far the most interesting architectural feature remains almost unrestored. It is of late enriched Norman work. The Jamb-Shafts and responds have scallop caps, unrestored. It is of late enriched Norman work. The Jamb-Shafts and responds have scallop caps, and the arch, rich Chevron ornament. The Hood mould has double billet ornament. Unfortunately, the original work has been so scraped up that it is difficult to see precisely what is new.
On the North wall of the Chancel is a sculptured group of exceptional beauty and elegance (by the great sculptor Nollekins) of Mary, Countess Talbot. It is of pure white marble, showing a graceful figure holding a medallion which has the profile of the Countess.
On the West wall is a sculptured marble group to Jane and Edward Bray. In the Churchyard is a very interesting and ancient long stone bench with "Elbows", doubtless originally in the Church."-
Following extensive renovation works between November 2023 and March 2025, St Mary's was rededicated in a service of thanksgiving at Pentecost on 8th June 2025.
Renovations to the structure included repairs to the nave and tower parapets externally and to internal plaster particularly around the chancel arch. Further work was carried out in the north aisle and the porch.
- The bell-frame was overhauled and the bells, clock and clock face restored. The bells, which had been limited to being mechanically struck (controlled by an electronic timer), now swing full circle once more.
- New heating has been installed, lighting improved, and the fine hanging lamps polished.
It benefits from fine acoustics and an excellent organ, under-pew heating and capacity to seat 200-220 in comfort,
and with no steps to be navigated and a hearing loop fitted it is readily accessible making it suitable for church services, large events and is an ideal venue for family celebrations, weddings etc. .
The Church is open 24 hours. Please feel free to visit at any time.
------------------------------
"The present Church appears to have been built about the beginning of the Reign of Henry V11 (from 1485-1509) and is dedicated to Saint Mary. It has a Nave, one Aisle and an embattled Tower containing six Bells.
An effigy (of 1620) of a Man in Armour with a Ruff, his sword girth on his right side is extended under the furthest window of the Aisle. This is Captain Edmond Bray of whom there is an anecdote accounting for this peculiarity (of the sword being on the right).
This Church has been much restored and altered at different periods, originally being a Norman building. The South Nave has Clerestory Lights of the same period as the Tower viz. Perpendicular, 1390-1550, as also a window in the North Aisle. The late Early English Arcade of four wide bays has cylindrical pillars with moulded bases and octagonal moulded caps, chamfered arches of two orders hood -moulds. Within the Tower, above the West door is a beautiful canopied 14*h century
Niche with bracket.
The very fine old oak nave roof with good carved Bosses is of the Perpendicular period; note also the Corbels. The Chancel Arch, by far the most interesting architectural feature remains almost unrestored. It is of late enriched Norman work. The Jamb-Shafts and responds have scallop caps, unrestored. It is of late enriched Norman work. The Jamb-Shafts and responds have scallop caps, and the arch, rich Chevron ornament. The Hood mould has double billet ornament. Unfortunately, the original work has been so scraped up that it is difficult to see precisely what is new.
On the North wall of the Chancel is a sculptured group of exceptional beauty and elegance (by the great sculptor Nollekins) of Mary, Countess Talbot. It is of pure white marble, showing a graceful figure holding a medallion which has the profile of the Countess.
On the West wall is a sculptured marble group to Jane and Edward Bray. In the Churchyard is a very interesting and ancient long stone bench with "Elbows", doubtless originally in the Church."-
Following extensive renovation works between November 2023 and March 2025, St Mary's was rededicated in a service of thanksgiving at Pentecost on 8th June 2025.
Renovations to the structure included repairs to the nave and tower parapets externally and to internal plaster particularly around the chancel arch. Further work was carried out in the north aisle and the porch.
- The bell-frame was overhauled and the bells, clock and clock face restored. The bells, which had been limited to being mechanically struck (controlled by an electronic timer), now swing full circle once more.
- New heating has been installed, lighting improved, and the fine hanging lamps polished.
The best surviving feature from the Norman period is the traditional chevron design carved on the chancel arch.
The nave roof dates from the 14th or 15th century. It is made from oak with carved wooden bosses, and corbel heads which support the roof beams |
There is an 11th century canopied niche above the west door beneath the tower. This may at one time have held a statue.
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There is a striking monument to Jane and Edward Bray at the west end of the church and many memorials to the Talbot family in the Chancel.
|
Note the marble sculpture of Mary, Countess Talbot (d.1787), by the sculptor Nollekins.
|
A Jacobean effigy of Captain Edmond Bray, which dates from 1620, shows a beautifully carved Tudor ruff.
About the Village and Community
Great Barrington is a peaceful village lying on the north slopes of the river Windrush facing Little Barrington on the south and surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Owned by Barrington Park Estate and with a population of roughly 100 village residents are a mixture of estate workers and those who commute.
Great Barrington and Little Barrington together make the Barrington Civil Parish and often come together for major celebrations. As well as Sunday services Great Barrington church is used for special events, weddings etc.
B&B accommodation can be found in nearby Fox Inn (between Great and Little Barrington) and the Inn for all Seasons on the A40. Neighbouring village, Sherborne offers a charming award-winning village shop and café. and just 4 miles away, Burford offers a wide range of shops, and places to eat and stay.
Owned by Barrington Park Estate and with a population of roughly 100 village residents are a mixture of estate workers and those who commute.
Great Barrington and Little Barrington together make the Barrington Civil Parish and often come together for major celebrations. As well as Sunday services Great Barrington church is used for special events, weddings etc.
B&B accommodation can be found in nearby Fox Inn (between Great and Little Barrington) and the Inn for all Seasons on the A40. Neighbouring village, Sherborne offers a charming award-winning village shop and café. and just 4 miles away, Burford offers a wide range of shops, and places to eat and stay.
