St Mary de Crypt Church

St Mary de Crypt Church is a medieval church building in Gloucester featuring Norman architecture with a central tower and eight bells. The interior displays medieval wall paintings and a Renaissance pulpit from the 17th century, showing layers of different periods.

The building began as a church in 1140 and underwent major reconstruction in the late 14th century. This rebuilding shaped the form that visitors see today.

The church is connected to George Whitefield, a Methodist preacher whose first sermon here in 1736 launched an influential religious career. Visitors can sense in this space the moment that sparked a major spiritual movement.

The church is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 2 PM and offers accessible facilities for visitors. Parking is available nearby, making a visit straightforward.

The crypt beneath the western end of the church served as a tavern from 1576 until the mid-1670s before being converted to residential space. This underground room reveals a very different chapter than the worship space above it.

Location: Gloucester

Inception: 1140

GPS coordinates: 51.86410,-2.24710

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:01