Parish Church of St Mary, Radcliffe

The Parish Church of St Mary stands in Radcliffe, a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury. Built in the 14th century, its tower was added a century later. English Heritage recognises the building with a Grade I listing, originally under the name Church of St Mary and St Bartholomew. The church’s name changed in 1991 when local parishes merged. Six soldiers from the First World War and three from the Second World War are buried in its churchyard. The church has faced challenges, including severe flooding on Boxing Day 2015. Floodwaters made the building inaccessible for days and damaged many artefacts. A restoration of the roof in 2008–09 cost £250,000. Despite these setbacks, the church remains a place of historical importance. Its survival reflects the community’s efforts to preserve it. Inside, visitors find a space shaped by centuries of use and repair. The Grade I-listed interior reflects its medieval origins and later additions. The churchyard holds war graves that mark the town’s contribution to two world wars. The building’s resilience after the flood shows the care given to its upkeep. Its quiet presence in Radcliffe offers a link to the past.