Parish Church of St Mary

St Mary’s Church stands in the Buckinghamshire village of Haddenham. It is an ancient parish church with parts dating back to the 12th-century Norman period. Some features, including the font marked with a dragon, may even be from the original Saxon church. The tower, built in the late 13th century, belongs to the Early English Gothic style. The aisles were rebuilt in the 14th century, showing layers of history in every stone. The church holds significance beyond its age. It was once linked to the Benedictine abbey of Rochester in Kent. The astronomer William Rutter Dawes lies buried in the churchyard, and scenes from the television series *Midsomer Murders* were filmed on its grounds. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the church remained closed longer than most, reopening fully only in May 2021. This delay affected families hoping to meet church attendance requirements for local school admissions. Inside, visitors find a modern electric organ installed in 1967, replacing an earlier instrument damaged in the Second World War. The church also has a new vestry, creche, and kitchen added during a major refurbishment. The building’s mix of Norman arches, Gothic tower, and later additions offers a clear record of changing styles. The surrounding churchyard provides quiet space, while the interior’s simplicity allows the historic fabric to stand out.