Church Project 2026

St. Mary Magdalene, Mitford

Welcome to the next exciting chapter in the long and eventful history of St Mary Magdalene, Mitford.

With your help and support, our beautiful Victorian and medieval building can go from strength to strength.

Thanks to essential improvements, both inside and outside, we can protect tradition while ensuring flexibility and comfort for all.

Proposals currently being considered

Disabled parking provision, along with specified wheelchair path access. Ensuring visiting our church is a comfortable and welcoming experience for everyone.

Upgraded noticeboard keeping you informed about upcoming services and the season ahead.

High quality wood seating, complementing the historical aesthetic could replace our sadly deteriorating pews. Giving our church brand new levels of flexibility and comfort when adapting to the specific needs of regular services and special occasions.

Replacement screen projection and upgraded sound system, complete with wireless facility for our service and worship leaders, and performing musicians.

Permeable carpeting covering service leaders, musicians and children’s areas

Ceilidh

Local Art Exhibitions

Toddler Group

Ceilidh

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And once this work is completed, we’ll eventually be in a position to overhaul our ageing heating system, not to mention improving church lighting!

What Remains The Same

We will of course maintain the rich heritage and beauty of our chancel and chapel. Both will remain in their historic entirety.

Why Now?

As present custodians of St Mary Magdalene, Mitford, it is our responsibility to care for this historic church, maintaining and improving it where necessary so that it continues to meet the evolving needs of both our worshipping community and future generations.

Alongside our responsibility to care for the building itself, we also have a duty to be good stewards of its long-term financial sustainability. The maintenance, repair and day-to-day running costs of the church are met almost entirely through the generosity of our congregation and supporters. We therefore have a responsibility to explore appropriate ways in which the building can continue to serve both the church and the wider community, helping to secure the income needed to care for this much-loved building. Above all, we want to ensure that St Mary Magdalene's remains an open, living church at the heart of our community, serving God and welcoming people for generations to come.

Along with providing enhanced levels of comfort and ease for parishioners, much-needed improvements enable Elaine and our ministry team to deliver regular services more effectively than ever on our behalf.

Community

As well as serving parishioners throughout the year, St Mary Magdalene belongs at the very heart of the Mitford community. Alongside our village hall, upcoming improvements ensure the building becomes an attractive location for hosting local events in the years ahead.

The Story Continues

Built in the 12th century, the church was almost burnt to the ground on the orders of King John in 1216 and again seriously damaged by fire just over a hundred years later. Bad luck struck once more in 1705 when fire destroyed the roof, reportedly caused by open braziers heating the building.

Good fortune came in the 1870s when Colonel John Philip Osbaldeston Mitford financed the rebuilding, with architect R.J. Johnson tasked with designing the church we see today.

While the wooden floor was replaced by York stone in the 1980s, most recent alterations took place some twenty years ago, when glazed porch doors and glazing above the vestry screen were fitted, reducing draughts. A raised gallery was installed to provide additional seating and storage.

Our bell hanging beside the main door is believed to date all the way back to the 12th century...

possibly the oldest in Britain!

What is the Process?

Within the Church of England, there is a well-established and rigorous legal process governing any proposed changes to a church building. This process is known as the Faculty Jurisdiction. Before any work can be undertaken, a Faculty must be obtained, involving consultation with the Diocesan Advisory Committee, architects, heritage specialists, and other relevant experts. Careful consideration is given to the historical, architectural, and liturgical significance of the building and its furnishings.

At the present time, no Faculty petition has been submitted, no formal permissions have been granted, and no work will be carried out until all the required procedures have been completed and the necessary Faculty has been obtained.

To date, three community consultation events have taken place to explain the proposals under consideration and the reasons why they are being explored. These discussions have focused on how best to preserve the long-term future of Mitford Church as a place of worship, ensuring that it remains sustainable and able to serve both the parish and the wider community for generations to come.

The Faculty process is intentionally transparent. Public notices will be displayed, providing an opportunity for anyone with a legitimate interest to make representations or objections to the Chancellor before any decision is reached. This ensures that all views can be heard and considered as part of the formal legal process.

I would encourage anyone who has questions or would like further information to contact either Revd Elaine or the JPCC. We are committed to being open and transparent throughout this process and will do our best to answer any questions and explain the proposals as they develop.

We Need Your Help!

To ensure our church remains in the best possible condition, both now and in the decades ahead, we’d love to hear your fundraising ideas.

With new seating on the way, would you like to pledge to buy a new chair (or two!)?

We’d like to think new homes could be found for our beloved old pews from the nave! Let us know if you’re interested…

For any queries or questions please

Email: wansbeckvicarhelp@gmail.com
Phone: 07769 763104

Updates!

Funding.

Mitford Church is delighted to announce that we have been awarded £6,200 by the Benefact Trust towards our enhancement works we are hoping to start later this year.

Benefact Trust is one of the UK's largest grant-making charities and awarded more than £23 million to churches, charities and communities in 2020. Its funds come from its ownership of the Benefact Group.