St Mary's Church

We welcome visitors - please come inside and take time to look around or just come in to sit and contemplate or offer up a prayer or two for loved ones or for the things you care for in our world.

Details of services and events can be found inside the entrance porch, there are more display boards inside the church including info on the Diocesan Link with the Sudan and more locally events arranged by Steeple Ashton Christians Together.

We have a children’s corner where there are books and activities for younger ones for use both during services and whenever the church is open.

Sunday Services

10.30am Family Service on the 2nd Sunday of the month (without Holy Communion*)

11am Service of Holy Communion with hymns and sermon on the 1st Sunday of the month (traditional language - "BCP" - Common Worship, Order Two) and on the 3rd Sunday of the month (contemporary language - Common Worship, Order One)

11am Morning Prayer on the 4th Sunday of the month

6.30pm Sung Evensong on the 1st Sunday of the month (during the summer months, BST).

* There will be a simple introductory celebration of Holy Communion at the Family Service on Sunday, 9th September. 

Weekday Services

8am Morning Prayer every Wednesday

Church festivals may vary the time or format of services held so please consult the current service schedules.

St Mary's, Steeple Ashton forms part of a Benefice which includes the parish of Steeple Ashton and the parish of North Bradley, Southwick and Heywood. The Vicar of the Benefice, Fr Oliver Learmont, lives in North Bradley and serves the Benefice in collaboration with the Ministry Team. The Benefice is in the Deanery of Bradford, one of 19 Deaneries which make up the Diocese of Salisbury.

For Baptisms (Christenings), Marriage Services and Funerals, please contact Fr Oliver on 01225 774845.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin Steeple Ashton

The present building is in the late perpendicular style, works to build a new nave and add side aisles were commenced in later part of the 15th Century these new structures were joined at the west by the fine tower completed earlier in 15th century and at the east to the existing chancel probably built during the early 13th century. This chancel was demolished in 1850’s and replaced with a new build that blends well with the 15th century sections of the church. Later in 19th century the interior was also reordered to the layout that can be seen today.

Notable interior features are fine vaulted side aisles, the carved nave roof. The ample light from clerestory windows allow the fine proportions and lines of the structure to be appreciated and the splendour of the niche and pillar boss carvings. There are fragments of medieval glass in the windows of the side aisles which at least predates 1485.

The exterior of the building is dominated by the 90 foot tall tower which like the aisles, nave and chancel are blessed with many fine pinnacles and carved grotesques.

One feature no longer upon the present church is the steeple. There was a steeple on the church by the mid 13th century and this feature was again renewed when the present tower was built. The tower and steeple were recorded to be of a combined height of 186ft being only second in height in the county to that of Salisbury Cathedral. In 1670 tragedy occurred when the steeple was struck twice by lightning, the first occasion was on 25th July, then again on 15th October a further strike when two workmen were killed. The damage to the aisles, nave and tower was repaired following these two storms but the steeple was not replaced. The village still retains the link to that lost structure in its name.

The church guide booklet “The Story of the Church of St Mary the Virgin Steeple Ashton” can be found on sale in the church. There is further information on the church history contained within The Friends of Steeple Ashton publication “Steeple Ashton Village History & Guide” which can also be purchased in the church.