Church of the week 

We are delighted that St Mary the Virgin, Wendens Ambo was highlighted as “Church of the Week” on 22nd January by The National Churches Trust. 

The article can be found on Facebook here. 

Our #ChurchOfTheWeek, St Mary the Virgin in Wendens Ambo, Essex, hopes to welcome more people with the help of a grant for new facilities.

The church, which dates to the 11th century and which was built on the site of an even earlier church, has been added to and renewed many times over the centuries, with features including a southern arcade from the 13th century, a wall painting from the 16th and a 19th-century porch.

Now, the team at the church hope it can meet the needs of the 21st century by adding an accessible toilet and a servery, after a petition showed that locals wanted to be able to make more use of the building.

“Support from the National Churches Trust brings us a vital step closer to providing an accessible toilet and a small servery in our Grade I listed church – a challenging project in a conservation area without mains drainage and with strict groundwater protections,” shares Susan Watson, church warden and project manager at St Mary the Virgin.

“These improvements will make an immediate and very human difference. Clergy and village residents alike including older people, families with young children, those with disabilities, and anyone unable to manage the uphill walk to the village hall will finally be able to attend services and community events without anxiety or discomfort.

“Above all, this grant helps ensure that our church remains not only a historic place of beauty, but a living, inclusive space for all. It enables St Mary’s to continue fulfilling its long-held role at the centre of village life, welcoming everyone who wishes to be part of our community.” 

The grant of £7,000 comes from the Headley Trust, on the recommendation of the National Churches Trust, as part of our most recent round of grants last December.

Explore this church’s rich history on our website: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church/st-mary-virgin-wendens-ambo