Church of St Mary, Banbury

St Mary’s Church stands in the heart of Banbury, Oxfordshire, as a Grade I listed building of the Church of England. Built in the 1790s to replace a medieval church damaged during the English Civil War, it was designed by Samuel Pepys Cockerell. Later, Charles Robert Cockerell added the tower and portico between 1818 and 1822. The interior was reorganised in the 1860s and 1870s by vicar Henry Back, who worked with architect Arthur Blomfield to create a Byzantine-style decoration. Stained-glass windows by Robert Turnill Bayne were installed during this period, including one showing The Parable of the Talents. The church belongs to the central tradition of the Church of England and was once shared with the United Reformed Church from 1993 until 2019. Its Resurrection Chapel holds one of the 84 Lamps of Brotherhood, made after World War II as a symbol of reconciliation. Notable clergy include David Thomson, who later became Bishop of Huntingdon, and Anthony Williams, who later served as Bishop of Bermuda. The building reflects layers of history, from its post-war reconciliation symbol to its Anglo-Catholic reordering. Visitors find a church with a tower and portico added in the early 19th century, alongside a richly decorated interior. The Byzantine-style fittings and stained-glass windows create a striking atmosphere. The Resurrection Chapel houses one of the Lamps of Brotherhood, a quiet space for reflection. Set in central Banbury, the church remains a place of worship and historical interest.