St Mary the Virgin, Great Brickhill
| St Mary the Virgin’s Church, Great Brickhill | |
|---|---|
 St Mary the Virgin’s Church, Great Brickhill | |
 | |
| 52°00′1.5″N 0°40′42.5″W / 52.000417°N 0.678472°W | |
| Location | Great Brickhill |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Mary the Virgin |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed[1] |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Oxford |
| Archdeaconry | Buckingham |
| Deanery | Mursley |
| Parish | Great Brickhill |
St Mary the Virgin's Church, Great Brickhill is a Grade II* listed[1] parish church in the Church of England in Great Brickhill, Buckinghamshire.[2]
History[edit]
The church was built sometime in the thirteenth century, with various additions throughout the years.[3] During 1865-67, the church underwent restoration in which a porch was added.[4]
Modern Restoration[edit]
In 1997, a project began to “enable the church to fulfil its purposes in the 21st century.” Phases I and II, the former to refurbish the church’s towers and bells. Phase II was to expand the church’s size by adding a meeting room, kitchen, toilets, etc. As of April 2024, all of Phase I and most of Phase II have been implemented into the church.[5]
In 2014-2016, the church’s lead roof was stolen. Due to inadequate funding, parts of the missing roof were covered in felt. In October of 2023, it was reported the church faced closure if the roof was not repaired due to leakage. The National Churches Trust pledged £473,750 to the church, along 33 other churches, to repair the roof.[6]
Exterior[edit]
The church’s bell tower was constructed in the mid-13th century. However, the first documentation of any actual bells was in 1637. In 1789, six bells were cast by Thomas and William Mears in the now-defunct Whitechapel Bell Foundry. In 1840, one of the bells was recast for an unknown reason.
Funding by the parish council and other local parties let the bells be taken to the Whites of Appleton in October 2009, located in Oxfordshire be repaired. Two new bells were cast, and in April of 2010, the bells were returned and rehung.[7]
The churchyard was closed on an unknown date, but a church-run cemetery was built nearby.
Interior[edit]
The church contains a pipe organ, dating back to 1875 and was built by William Hill and Son. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[8]
Parish Status[edit]
The church is in a joint parish with:
- All Saints Church, Bow Brickhill
- St Mary Magdalene's Church, Little Brickhill
- St Luke's Church, Stoke Hammond
References[edit]
- ^ a b Historic England. "Church of St Mary (Grade II*) (1115994)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
- ^ The Buildings of England. Berkshire. Nikolaus Pevsner. Yale University Press. 1978. ISBN 9780300095845
- ^ Churches, Brickhills and Stoke Hammond. "About GB Church - Brickhills and Stoke Hammond Churches". www.brickhillschurches.org.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ "Church of St Mary, Great Brickhill, Buckinghamshire". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ Churches, Brickhills and Stoke Hammond. "St Mary's 2000 - Brickhills and Stoke Hammond Churches". www.brickhillschurches.org.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ Murrer, Sally (5 October 2023). "Historic church near Milton Keynes is crumbling every time it rains due to multiple lead thefts from roof". MKCitizen. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ Churches, Brickhills and Stoke Hammond. "Bells and Bellringing - Brickhills and Stoke Hammond Churches". www.brickhillschurches.org.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ "NPOR [N09232]". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 26 April 2015.