The bells of St Mary's, Shirehampton

Image: © Neil Owen Taken: 6 Feb 2023

The church features an open pair of bells and a clock, uncommonly. St Mary's original church was founded around the late sixteenth century, but records show a new building (possibly on the same site) from 1727. This chapel was enlarged in 1827, with official recognition arriving in 1844 when it became the parish church. This one was also enlarged and embellished in 1860, 1889 and 1906; however, a terible fire broke out in the morning of Sunday 15th January 1928, causing much damage and loss. Funds were gathered and work engaged immediately. Based on designs by P. Hartland Thomas, work began in 1929 and the church was consecrated two years to the day it was destroyed. In keeping with the original Gothic style, the new version has some sympathetic treatments, but also has more modern themes. The new church is, notably, on a different axis to the old one, and has stones in the altar to mark the position of the former.

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