St Mary the Virgin Church

“A church that witnessed fiery debates and rose from the ashes – that’s St Mary the Virgin Church for you!” Situated by the Thames, this church is a blend of centuries, whispering tales of medieval times and echoes of the English Civil War. Right here, within these walls, history unfolded during the Putney Debates of 1647. Imagine the tension, the clash of ideologies as people debated the fate of the English constitution! St Mary the Virgin Church has seen it all. While the church boasts a rich past dating back to the 13th century, it has undergone several transformations. You can still find remnants of the 15th-century tower and the early 16th-century Bishop West Chapel. However, a significant portion of the building you see today is the result of an extensive 1836 renovation led by Edward Lapidge. Sadly, tragedy struck in 1973 when a devastating fire engulfed St Mary the Virgin Church. It took almost a decade to rebuild and rehallow this place of worship. The restored church, with its unique altar placement and stunning Marcussen & Søn pipe organ, stands as a testament to resilience and the enduring spirit of faith. As you leave St Mary the Virgin Church, carry a piece of its captivating history with you, etched in the very stones and stained-glass windows.