Tucked away on the north-east edge of the village, the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Kidlington is a magnificent architectural gem. The mellow limestone church we see today dates from 1220, when a new church was built on the site of a smaller Saxon church. There are many fascinating features inside, including a superb collection of ancient woodwork.
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is the parish church for Kidlington. It is early medieval, spacious, and situated at the very eastern end of the village, backing onto fields, a wildlife conservation area and a walk to the River Cherwell. It is only one of 5% of all buildings in the country with a Grade I (star) rating.
It has an extension, ‘the Refectory’, built in 1986, which houses a meeting room, kitchen and toilets and is used for parish activities and other events. The pews were removed about 50 years ago when a nave altar was also created. The modern nave altar, designed by Kidlington-born artist Nicholas Mynheer, dates from 2012. It is possible to rearrange the church imaginatively for worship and also for concerts and exhibitions.
The organ is a unique instrument rebuilt in the classical baroque style and moved to its present position in 1975. A sound system (with ‘loop’) and WiFi are available.
The churchyard is closed but there is an adjacent council cemetery, though most local interments now take place in a newer council cemetery about half a mile from the church.
For more about the features of St Mary’s just click here.