Church spotlight: Much Wenlock church with a very long history
The Rev Matthew Stafford considers himself a lucky man. A week into his new ministry at Holy Trinity Church in Much Wenlock, he is already acutely aware that he has come to a very special place.
"This is the birthplace of Christianity in Shropshire, with more than 1,300 years of church history," says the jovial 41-year-old.
"I'm led to believe there has been a church on this since since 680AD."
Located next to a long green, the church is surrounded by timber-framed cottages and the town's medieval guildhall.
It owes its origins to Milburga, the daughter of Merewalh, King of Mercia, who founded a monastery on the site, which eventually grew to become Wenlock Priory, a short distance away down Sheinton Street.
And it was the Cluniac monks who were based at the Priory who started building the present church in the middle of the 12th century.
Services: parish Eucharist 11am every Sunday, with Said Eucharist in traditional languages at 8am on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. Evensong according to the Book of Common Prayer is sung on the first and third Sunday of each month at 6.30pm.
Notable memorials: Dr William Penny Brookes, founder of the modern Olympic Games; Richard Ridley, who was twice bailiff of Much Wenlock, and his wife Eleanor; Robert Thorne, who also served as bailiff.[/breakout]
With their rounded arches and pillars, the nave and chancel typify the Norman style of ecclesiastical architecture.
