Church of St Mary

The Church of St Mary the Virgin stands in the centre of Godmanchester, a small town beside the River Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire. The building is a Grade I listed structure whose oldest parts date from the 13th century, though most of the church was rebuilt between the 13th and 15th centuries. The tower alone was added in 1623, giving the church a clear silhouette above the surrounding rooftops. Inside, the late-15th-century choir stalls still show their carved misericords, small hinged seats that let the choristers rest during long services. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Ely, linking it to a wider network of historic churches across the fenland region. In 2019 a local historian, Dr Ken Sneath, published a detailed history of the building for the Friends of St Mary’s. The church has twice hosted BBC1’s Songs of Praise, first in 1976 and again in October 2003. On the second occasion the programme featured a new hymn tune called Godmanchester, composed by the vicar at the time, Peter Moger. These broadcasts brought national attention to the building’s architecture and music. The misericords attract scholars and visitors interested in medieval woodcarving. The tower’s date in the 17th century shows how the church grew over centuries rather than being finished at one time. Inside, the nave opens into a broad space where light falls through clear glass windows onto plain stone columns. The choir stalls with their misericords stand at the east end, each seat carved with figures and foliage. The tower arch frames a view of the 1623 brickwork rising above the nave roof. Outside, the churchyard contains gravestones that record generations of Godmanchester families. The building’s long history can be read in every arch, window and carved detail.