St Mary's Church, Brighstone
50°38′32.6″N 01°23′40.5″W / 50.642389°N 1.394583°W
| St. Mary's Church, Brighstone | |
|---|---|
 St. Mary's Church, Brighstone | |
 | |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| Website | [1] |
| History | |
| Dedication | St. Mary |
| Administration | |
| Province | Canterbury |
| Diocese | Portsmouth |
| Parish | Brighstone |
| Clergy | |
| Vicar(s) | Revd Jackie Maw |
St. Mary's Church is a parish church in the Church of England located in Brighstone, Isle of Wight. The churchyard contains a memorial stone to George Albert Cairns VC.
History
[edit]The church is medieval dating from the twelfth century.[1] The short tower contains a ring of 8 bells all cast by Whitechapel Bell Foundry: six in 1961 with two more added in 2017. The largest weighs 7cwt. The spire was added in the 17th century.
Today
[edit]The church holds an annual Christmas tree festival (the Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival) in conjunction with the one at Mottistone that has become a popular tourist attraction.[2]
This event occurs in four locations:
- St Mary's Church, Brighstone
- Brighstone Methodist Church
- St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Mottistone
- Wilberforce Hall, Brighstone.
Several hundred entries are created by individuals, groups and businesses, making it one of the biggest festivals of its type.[citation needed]
Parish status
[edit]The church is grouped with:
- St. Mary's Church, Brighstone
- St. Mary's Church, Brook
- St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Mottistone
List of incumbents
[edit]Three former Rectors have become Bishops:
- Thomas Ken hymn writer
- Samuel Wilberforce - the youngest son of William Wilberforce
- George Moberly - became Bishop of Salisbury
Organ
[edit]The church does not have a pipe organ but instead has an electric one at the west end of the nave. A specification of the former pipe organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.
References
[edit]- ^ The Buildings of England, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Nikolaus Pevsner
- ^ islandpulse.co.uk/b2/brighstone-christmas-tree-festival-2009