St. Mary's Church, Brighstone

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.

The 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.

The 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.

The 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.