- A church has stood on this town centre
site from at least the Middle Ages and probably much longer than that. The
earliest remains, dating from the 13th century, are to be found in the north
and south transepts. Much of the rest of the building, including the
central tower, dates from the 15th century. In St. Catherine's Chapel can
be found the Monmouth Rebellion brass. It commemorates Edward Coker who
was killed in East Street (reputedly by a bullet from an upstairs window
in the Bull Hotel) by one of the Duke of Monmouth's officers in 1685. In
the Victorian period considerable alterations and enlargement took place.
In the ten months leading up to July 1860 a major restoration was carried
out: the chancel was completely rebuilt, and the nave lengthened by two bays.
The enlargement enabled the galleries to be removed without reducing the
seating capacity. Thomas Hardy did not approve of the alterations. "The church",
he writes, "had had such a practical joke played upon it by some facetious
restorer or other as to be scarce recognisable...".* Yet despite Hardy's
disapproval the church continued to be much loved and late 19th and 20th
century craftsmen continued to enhance it with stained glass and the organ
we see and hear today. The Lady chapel was created in 1900. The east window
is Victorian showing the Queen as the Queen of Sheba.
- After the closure of the church of St.
Andrew in the 1976, the North Transept became the Chapel of St. Andrew, continuing
the long tradition of a place of worship in the town dedicated in his honour.
- On 30th October 1996 a fire broke out
in the roof space above the south aisle near the porch. It quickly spread
into the roof of the nave and would have certainly engulfed the entire building
save for the prompt action of local people and the skill and bravery of
the fire-fighters. The church is now repaired and redecorated.
- St. Mary's has a broad churchmanship
with a membership of 'middle of the road' Anglicans. Congregations
are made up of people of all ages. There is a welcoming atmosphere in which
newcomers are greeted and invited to coffee following the main service. Sunday and midweek services range from Tiny Tots
and informal prayer, to Sung Communion, offices using Common Worship and
the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. There is a strong connection with the
Bridport United Church
(Methodist/URC) and joint services, study groups and children's holiday clubs
are held. French is spoken by some of the members which has resulted in 'French
connections' locally and with a parish link of
Roumois in the Diocese of Évreux , Normandy. St. Mary's
serves the local civic needs. The rector, the Revd. Trevor Stubbs,
is civic chaplain. With flexible seating and a maximum capacity of
400 St. Mary's hosts many concerts and other town events.
- The Local Ministry Team concerns itself
with ministry in general but there are specific committees for outreach, worship
and communications as well as property and finance which maintains the ancient
building.
- There is a Sunday school, midweek children's
club and Christian youth club, an energetic choir, Mothers' Union, and a
team of bell-ringers.
* from "Fellow-Townsmen"
in Wessex Tales published in 1888
|
