Parish Profile

Our Church
St Mary's was built and endowed by the Arkwright family, descendants of Richard Arkwright the inventor of textile machinery. When the church was consecrated in 1853, the estate had already been sold to John Hardy of Dunstall Hall. 

The church is a Grade II* listed building which seats approximately 120 comfortably. The church is left open (unlocked) all year round for prayer and reflection. As part of the National Forest, Dunstall is a favourite area for ramblers with many taking advantage of the quiet space the Church and Churchyard has to offer. 

The Village of Dunstall
Dunstall is a small and attractive village with a handful of cottages and two or three farms. It lies just to the north of Barton under Needwood and is 10 miles from Lichfield. The Parish is mainly comprised of the privately owned Dunstall Estate. St Mary's Church and Church Hall are a focal point together with the separately owned Dunstall Hall which includes the village Cricket Ground. 

The village has only 50 dwellings with an adult population of 90. Few children live in the village. In addition to the houses in the immediate village, the Parish includes some 50 houses geographically isolated from the village on the north-bound side of the A38 trunk road. 

Facilities
Dunstall has a church hall which has recently been redecorated and has excellent facilities. It has seating and tables for approximately 70 and is used for parish events, harvest suppers, fundraising events, coffee mornings and concerts. Dunstall Parish Council hold their meetings in the hall and it is the parish Polling Station during elections. It is also available for private hire and is popular for baptism celebrations and country style wedding receptions. Additionally, the church has a small Lady Chapel which seats 8, a small children's area at the back of church and a small vestry. There are no toilets in the church building, but there are good facilities in the church hall.