Coordinates: 50°38′32″N 01°23′39″W / 50.64222°N 1.39417°W / 50.64222; -1.39417
St. Mary's Church, Brighstone 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.
HistoryThe church is medieval dating from the twelfth century. The short tower contains a ring of 6 bells all cast by Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 1961. The largest weighs 7cwt. The spire was added in the 17th century.
TodayThe 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.
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 buisnesses making this one of the biggest festivals of it's type.
Parish statusThe church is grouped with:
- St. Mary's Church, Brighstone
- St. Mary's Church, Brook
- St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Mottistone
Three former Rectors have become Bishops:
- Thomas Ken hymn writer
- Samuel Wilberforce - the youngest son of William Wilberforce
- George Moberly - became Bishop of Salisbury
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 organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.
Building Activity
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OpenBuildings added a digital referenceabout 6 years ago via OpenBuildings.com