Minster


Clock tower MinsterOur beautiful medieval Parish Church stands on the northern edge of the original Wantsum Channel and the southern edge of the village. It receives many visitors each year as it features in both “Pevsner's Guide” and Simon Jenkin’s “England’s thousand best churches”. Known as the “Cathedral of the Marshes”, people are surprised at the size of the church. 

Every Sunday, there is a service at 10:30am, including Holy Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.  Refreshments are served in the church after all Sunday services. 

There are good ecumenical links with the local Salvation Army and the Roman Catholic Sisters at Minster Abbey. 

Whether as a tourist or a worshipper, we hope you enjoy your visit to Minster Parish Church. Come and enjoy the peace-filled calm.


Community

nativity walk aboutMinster village has a population of just under 4,000. It is an extremely well resourced village which won the Calor Village of the Year County Winner in 2009. It has a two form entry CoE primary school, lively parish council with Village website and magazine, Minster Matters and shops and pubs.

One of the popular annual village events is “Open Gardens”. This usually involves up to 20 gardens being open over a weekend. The money raised is given for the maintenance of the fabric of the Parish church.

Remembrance Day is a community event when members of the local British Legion march to the parish church for a ceremony. The Community Carols (inside or out) are testament to the close community spirit.

History

Minster misericordThe ground upon which the church of St. Mary the Virgin now stands, has long been hallowed as a place of worship. Originally founded in 670AD as a small monastic parish church, it would have been built using the inexpensive materials of mud and wood. Today, the present church was started by the Saxons and enlarged and absorbed by the Normans. The chancel is typically ‘Early English’ in architecture and style, and the beautiful nave has remained in its present form since 1150. St. Mary’s Church, traditionally called the ‘Cathedral on the Marshes’ boasts a set of eighteen superbly preserved Misericords (Quire Stalls). At the west end of the nave, it is interesting to observe the Roman bricks, which were used in the masonry of both the wall and the Norman tower. An older Saxon turret is also incorporated into the massive Norman tower, carrying a belfry with a peal of five bells. St Mary’s church spans centuries, but still retains to the glory of God an indescribable, peace-filled calm. We urge you to come and visit!

The Old Schools, conveniently situated in the churchyard, was originally the village school from 1847-1946.  It’s now put to good use by the church for community and private functions, as well as being hired by local residents and the wider community for various hobby and craft activities.  

If you would like to know more about visiting the church, booking an service (wedding, funeral, blessing, memorial or baptism) or hiring the Old Schools for an event or activity, please contact us using the email address or telephone number below.