St Mary's Church, Longfleet

St Mary’s Church stands on the south side of Longfleet Road in Poole, just above Poole Hospital. It is a Gothic Revival building completed in 1833 and designed by Edward Blore. The church has a tall spire added in 1884, which rises above the town and is visible for miles. Lord de Mauley funded most of the original construction. Later changes were made by G. E. Street and G. R. Crickmay and Son. In 1915 Herbert Kendell rebuilt the nave with aisles and transepts. English Heritage calls the tower and spire one of Poole’s most important landmarks. The church is an active evangelical charismatic parish with a congregation of around 700. It runs Sunday schools and ministries for different age groups and needs. Rev. Andrew Perry became vicar in 1995 and helped the church grow from eighty to about eight hundred members. The church works with local groups such as Faithworks Wessex and runs projects like MON£Y MATT£RS and Befrienders. It also supports Longfleet Church of England Primary School across the road. In 2018 Rev. Tessa Nisbet led a team to nearby churches to encourage new life in the congregations. A modern church centre in Kingston Road opened in 2014 after redevelopment. It faces the church across Longfleet Road and is used by Poole Hospital and local health charities. A pelican crossing was added to link the two sites safely. The centre was officially opened by the Bishop of Salisbury, Nicholas Holtam, in September 2014. The church itself remains a Grade II listed building, recognised for its architectural importance. Its spire and tower continue to mark the skyline of Poole.