There has been a place of Christian worship on this site for around a thousand years. The listed heritage building you see today is the result of ten centuries of development and evolution from the original Saxon church. The early medieval lintel and carving, or tympanum, at the base of the tower are surviving remnants from that period.

Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, the nave was rebuilt in stone, together with a tower that would have been smaller than the one seen today. Later Norman work led to the construction of the north and south aisles. The Norman arches between the north aisle and the nave remain as a reminder of this phase of the church's history.

In 1138, the font was installed. Created by the Aston Master Mason of the Hereford School of Romanesque Sculpture, it is intricately carved from a single piece of stone.

During the 1300s, the tower was extended, a change that can still be identified by the more subtle stonework. The south aisle was also enlarged until it became almost as large as the nave, and the porch was added.

The entrance to the porch is slightly off-centre, suggesting the possible location of a porch altar, where marriage contracts and legal documents would have been signed. Around the same period, the chancel was built in the Decorated style, a form of Gothic architecture common in England from about 1290 to 1350. Its most distinctive feature was the elaborate ornamental stone carving around windows and doorways.

The church's four bells were installed in 1552 and recast in 1752. In 1966 they were deemed unsafe and removed from use. Fifty-six years later, they were restored by Tower Captain Derek Overton and his team and are still in regular weekly use.

In 1771, the south aisle was rebuilt following a collapse. During the Victorian era, St Mary's underwent significant alterations as part of a national programme of church building and restoration designed to accommodate growing congregations. The pews, eagle lectern, and most of the stained-glass windows date from this period. Fragments of medieval stained glass were incorporated into the new window designs.

In 1901, the rood screen, also known as the chancel screen, was added. Designed in the Arts and Crafts style, it draws inspiration from nature and reflects the movement's emphasis on simplicity, craftsmanship, utility, and beauty.

Services in the Stottesdon Group of Churches for the next few weeks: everybody is welcome at any of our services in any of our churches (for a full list of services please see the services and events tab):

ALL SERVICES CELEBRATED BY REVD DR. SALLY WALLACE-JONES UNLESS STATED

AUGUST

Sunday 16th

Stottesdon 10:30am Informal Worship

Sidbury 11:45am Holy Communion

Sunday 23rd

Silvington 9:00am Holy Communion (Revd John Daniels)

Stottesdon 0:30am Holy Communion (Revd John Daniels)

Sunday 30th 

Middleton Scriven 10:30am Holy Communion (Group Service)

SEPTEMBER

Sunday 6th

Farlow 9:00am Holy Communion (Revd David Poyner)

Stottesdon 10:30am Morning Prayer (Revd David Poyner)

Safeguarding: this church upholds the right of all to share in church activities in safety; see our Safeguarding notice on the main menu.