St Mary the Virgin, Great Brickhill explained

St Mary the Virgin's Church, Great Brickhill
Coordinates:52.0004°N -0.6785°W
Location:Great Brickhill
Country:England
Denomination:Church of England
Dedication:St Mary the Virgin
Heritage Designation:Grade II* listed
Parish:Great Brickhill
Deanery:Mursley
Archdeaconry:Buckingham
Diocese:Diocese of Oxford

St Mary the Virgin's Church, Great Brickhill is a Grade II* listed parish church in the Church of England in Great Brickhill, Buckinghamshire.[1]

History

The church was built sometime in the thirteenth century, with various additions throughout the years.[2] During 1865–67, the church underwent restoration in which a porch was added.[3]

Modern Restoration

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.[4]

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.[5]

Exterior

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.[6]

The churchyard was closed on an unknown date, but a church-run cemetery was built nearby.

Interior

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.

Parish Status

The church is in a joint parish with:

Notes and References

  1. The Buildings of England. Berkshire. Nikolaus Pevsner. Yale University Press. 1978.
  2. Web site: Churches . Brickhills and Stoke Hammond . About GB Church – Brickhills and Stoke Hammond Churches . 2024-05-07 . www.brickhillschurches.org.uk . en.
  3. Web site: Church of St Mary, Great Brickhill, Buckinghamshire . 2024-05-07 . britishlistedbuildings.co.uk.
  4. Web site: Churches . Brickhills and Stoke Hammond . St Mary's 2000 – Brickhills and Stoke Hammond Churches . 2024-05-07 . www.brickhillschurches.org.uk . en.
  5. Web site: Murrer . Sally . 5 October 2023 . Historic church near Milton Keynes is crumbling every time it rains due to multiple lead thefts from roof . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231007143503/https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/people/historic-church-near-milton-keynes-is-crumbling-every-time-it-rains-due-to-multiple-lead-thefts-from-roof-4360797 . 7 October 2023 . 7 May 2024 . MKCitizen.
  6. Web site: Churches . Brickhills and Stoke Hammond . Bells and Bellringing – Brickhills and Stoke Hammond Churches . 2024-05-07 . www.brickhillschurches.org.uk . en.