St Mary's Church, Thatcham

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St Mary's Church
St Mary, Thatcham - geograph.org.uk - 1539225.jpg
A view across the graveyard
St Mary's Church, Thatcham
LocationChurch Gate
Thatcham
Berkshire
Country England
Denomination Church of England
History
Founded1140
Dedication St Mary
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designation Grade II* [1]
Designated6 April 1967
Style Norman
Administration
Diocese Oxford
Archdeaconry Berkshire
Parish Thatcham

The St Mary's Church is a Church of England parish church at Thatcham in the English county of Berkshire. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is a Grade II* listed building. [1]

Contents

It has been claimed that the church was founded in the 7th century by St Birinus, and parts of the church date from the 12th century. [2]

Tower and bells

The tower contains a peal of 10 change ringing bells. The oldest bells (5th–9th) date from 1624 and were cast by Ellis I Knight of Reading. The newest bells (1 and 2) date from 1969 and were cast by John Taylor & Co. The tenor bell (cast in 1825) weighs 13-0-23 (671 kg) and rings out the note 'F'. The bell ringers practise on a Tuesday night from 7:30 pm till 9:15 pm. They also ring on a Sunday from 9:15 am till 10 am.

Treble: 3cwt, John Taylor 1969 in A

2nd: 3cwt, John Taylor 1969 in G

3rd: 4cwt, John Taylor 1929 in F

4th: 4cwt, John Taylor 1929 in E

5th: 5cwt, Ellis I Knight 1624 in D

6th: 6cwt, Ellis I Knight 1624 in C

7th: 6cwt, Ellis I Knight 1624 in Bb

8th: 7cwt, Ellis I Knight 1624 in A

9th: 10cwt, Ellis I Knight 1624 in G

Tenor: 13cwt, Thomas II Mears 1825 in F

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References

  1. 1 2 Historic England. "Church of St Mary (Grade II*) (1155799)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  2. "RBH: History of St. Mary's Church, Thatcham, Berkshire". www.berkshirehistory.com.

Coordinates: 51°24′6.27″N1°15′32.78″W / 51.4017417°N 1.2591056°W / 51.4017417; -1.2591056