St Mary-le-More Church

St Mary-le-More Church. . , A story of survival , A church has stood on this site, at the centre of Wallingford, since Norman times. , It was the only church to escape serious damage in the Civil War but it didn't remain unscathed for long. In 1653, during a turbulent storm, a bolt of lightning struck the tower and destroyed it., Restoration and dedication , The tower was replaced with reused stones from Oliver Cromwell's dismantling of Wallingford Castle. If you look at the southwest buttress, you'll see Will Loader's name inscribed in commemoration of the tower rebuilding. , He was the royalist Mayor of Wallingford, who had been deposed in 1647, but who regained his position in 1662, after the King was restored to the throne. , The body of the church you see today, however, was rebuilt in 1854. It was embellished in 1888 with a marble pulpit dedicated to William Lybbe Powys-Lybbe. , The stone-panelled sanctuary is a memorial to John Kirby Hedges (1812-1901) and the rood screen was dedicated in 1925 to the memory of two of his daughters, both of whom died in 1921. The church's oldest feature is its font., Serving the community , The renewal of the interior of the church in 2009 benefited the whole community of Wallingford and it now hosts local groups and community events, as well as Sunday and Civic services. , The parish boasts a large choir, an active band of bell ringers, and activities for people of all ages throughout the week. , You are most welcome to come inside and have a look round.