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- Shrewsbury, Shropshire (Church of St Mary the Virgin)
The spire of St Mary’s is one of the tallest in England and for over 500 years it has dominated the skyline of Shrewsbury's old town. In 1739, showman Robert Cadman attempted to slide from it, head first, using a rope and a grooved breastplate. His engraved obituary stands outside the west door.
The church is now the only complete Medieval church in Shrewsbury. It dates from Saxon times and has beautiful additions from the 12th-century onwards. Inside, the atmosphere is peaceful with the soaring stone arches giving way to the church's great treasure - its stained glass.
There are panels in glorious colour including the world-famous 14th-century 'Jesse window’ filled with figures of Old Testament kings and prophets, and scenes from the life of St Bernard - a Medieval cartoon strip that shows him ridding flies from an abbey, riding a mule and curing the sick.
No other church in the country has a collection to equal it. Most of the glass was brought from elsewhere, much of it from Europe, by two remarkable clergymen, and installed in St Mary’s during the 18th - and 19th-centuries.
Warmth and richness is also provided by superb Victorian coloured tiles on the floor; and lifting your eyes upwards, you will see the wonderful 15th-century carved oak ceiling of the nave, with a profusion of animals, birds and angels.
Other details delight you wherever you look: an ancient font, Medieval stone carving on the arcades, interesting monuments...The beauty and variety of this church and its contents, all on a grand scale, blend into an uplifting and memorable whole.
To locate this church on a map, click on the 'View on map' link that appears below the address information at the top of the page.
Shrewsbury town centre location, off St Mary’s Street.
Nearest railway station: Shrewsbury (15 minutes walk). Bus route numbers 33/435/492.
SJ 494 126
13/03/13
We launched our Open Churches Policy yesterday March 12th on BBC Breakfast and have already had a huge response
Church of St Mary Magdelene, Battlefield, Shropshire
A memorial church to a bloody battle
St Martin's Church, Preston Gubbals, Shropshire
A survivor of re-modelling
Haughmond Abbey
Extensive remains of Augustinian abbey, including abbots' quarters, refectory & cloister. Chapter house frontage with 12th & 14th century carving & statuary, timber roof c.1500. Displays, picnic area.
Attingham Park
National Trust property
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Click on images to view larger
The CCT is grateful to the Flickr group, Friends of the Churches Conservation Trust, for the images shown here. CCT is not responsible for the quality or content of images taken from Flickr.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church and the CCT before you visit?
You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.
A walk round guide for Church of St Mary the Virgin, Shrewsbury (PDF, 1.2mb)
This short, full colour walk round guide contains a floor plan of the church and highlights of things to see during your visit. You can purchase a printed copy of this from the church (50p) or download in advance (free/optional donation).
Shropshire & Staffordshire County Guide (PDF, 4.75mb)
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches CCT cares for in Shropshire & Staffordshire. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.
Church of St Mary Magdelene, Battlefield, Shropshire
A memorial church to a bloody battle
Battlefield, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 1DX
See church page
St Martin's Church, Preston Gubbals, Shropshire
A survivor of re-modelling
Preston Gubbals, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 3AN
See church page
St Andrew's Church, Wroxeter, Shropshire
A Saxon church built on the Roman site of Viroconium
Wroxeter, Wroxeter, Shropshire, SY5 6PH
See church page
Haughmond Abbey Extensive remains of Augustinian abbey, including abbots' quarters, refectory & cloister. Chapter house frontage with 12th & 14th century carving & statuary, timber roof c.1500. Displays, picnic area. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/haughmond-abbey
Buildwas Abbey The impressive ruins of this Cistercian abbey have an idyllic setting near the River Severn. Unaltered 12th century church, beautiful vaulted and tile-floored chapter house and re-opened crypt chapel. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/buildwas-abbey
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
All our Shropshire churches are in CCT’s North region.
Contact name: Mr Tom Knight
Contact telephone: 01743 357006
Tourist & Visitor Guide for Shrewsbury
Shropshire Tourist Information
Shropshire Family History Society
Shropshire Historic Churches Trust
Shropshire County Council Discover Shropshire website
Shropshire Archaeological & History Society
Shropshire is in the Diocese of Hereford and the Diocese of Lichfield
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
If the access information for this church is listed as 'Keyholder nearby', this means that the key is kept by one of our invaluable volunteer 'keyholders', who usually live just a short walk from the church and can give visitors the key; sometimes this is a nearby hotel, pub, library, art gallery or other venue. You will find instructions explaining how to get the key when you arrive at the church.
Wheelchair access is possible from the church yard through the west porch door to all areas of the church, with two steps to the sanctuary/altar and Jesse Window. Access ramps to the coffee shop are in place.
Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number of them have heating or running water meaning that they can be cold, and very rarely have toilet facilities. The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor. We do apologise for any inconvenience the lack of facilities may cause.
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I love this church. It is beautiful and I find it spiritually uplifting just to step inside. Every time I visit it I see something new. It makes me wonder how a church congregation can exist in the centre of Shrewsbury yet not use this church - surely there can be no better place to worship than here?!
Yes, and as a supporter I feel lucky to have such a lovely Church within reachable distance from where I live.
Diana Gardner (Wilkinson) I would like to know if any of the stained glass windows were produced by Horace or Alfred Wilkinson. Both these stained glass artists were working on windows in the 19th-20th century.
I am related to these two gentlemen and would love to hear about their work.