Church of St Mary the Virgin

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a stone building with a square tower constructed from fieldstone and local ironstone, featuring arcades that run along both the south and north sides of the nave. The interior combines Romanesque and Gothic elements, with pointed arch windows and a substantial nave built from local materials.

The church was built around 1250 and underwent substantial rebuilding during the 14th and 15th centuries, especially the reconstruction of its western tower. This period saw the congregation expand and reinforce the building as the community grew and invested in the structure.

The carved rood screen displays traces of medieval gilding and paint in ochre and deep red, showing how the interior once glowed with religious decoration. Visitors can see these layers of color when light falls across the wood, giving a sense of the visual richness that filled the church.

The church houses six bells in its tower that ring on Thursday evenings at half past seven for practice, welcoming both ringers and listeners. Visitors can stop by at any time to see the building or experience this ringing tradition from outside.

The churchyard surrounding the building holds scattered medieval stone coffin lids and fragments that tell of burials spanning centuries. The east window contains pieces of stained glass from the 15th through 17th centuries, representing different eras of craftsmanship.

Location: Gamlingay

Inception: 13 century

GPS coordinates: 52.15500,-0.18720

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:07