SPEEN : St Mary the Virgin : Pilgrimage Guide

OXFORD DIOCESE PILGRIM PROJECT

st mary the virgin, speen

Welcome to St Mary’s Church, which has stood on this site for over a thousand years. It is almost certainly the oldest church in the Newbury area. Speen has been linked with the Roman Spinae, making it possible that it has been a place of Christian worship for around two thousand years. The church has been threatened with closure in the past; once in the 1980s and again in 2002. Today, the church is thriving with a strong lay leadership and a growing congregation.

The stained glass windows in the foyer are excellent

a mausoleum in the grounds of Benham Valance. It is

examples of Victorian workmanship. The one on the

by the renowned Venetian sculptor, Antonio Canova.

right is from parishioners in gratitude to the Revd

The north wall is also home to a set of monuments to

Henry Majendie (Vicar of Speen 1819-1870) who, at

the Wyld family by the sculptor John Bacon, a favourite

his own expense, carried out an extensive restoration

of George III. Remember those you have loved who are

in 1859-60. Pray for the clergy and laity who lead

no longer with us. Give thanks for their lives.

worship in this place today.

Look out for the small door leading to the bell tower.

You are now standing in the nave. On your left is a

The bells are rung every Sunday and on special

stone font which is the start of many people’s Christian

occasions. Further along the north wall are the

pilgrimage and on the wall behind is a statue of The

Stations of the Cross which were gifted by the monks

Blessed Virgin Mary and Child. Pray for new beginnings

of Elmore Abbey. Give thanks for all those who have

in your own life. Remember any godchildren, children

prayed in this place in the past. Pray for the church

or grandchildren you may have.

community today.

The wall monument is in memory of the Margrave of

The fretted screen separates the nave and choir.

Anspach, a nephew of Frederick the Great of Prussia.

Stand here and look back: almost at the end is a rood

The Margrave died in 1806 and is believed to be

beam placed here when the church was remodelled

buried in the churchyard. The marble was originally in

in 1859-60. Opposite the organ is a sounding board

from the old Jacobean pulpit. The alms plate is 18th

The two effigies are of Sir John Baptiste Castilion and

Century. The sanctuary window on the left contains

his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth. Sir John was made a

fragments of mediæval stained glass. In the corner

Privy Councillor and given the manor of Church Speen

are an aumbry and a sanctuary lamp. The panelling in

and Wood Speen by Elizabeth I. The screen separating

the choir and sanctuary is 16th century. Give thanks

the chapel from the Majendie Hall is a good place to

for the gift of music, and pray for those who give their

understand the size of the restored church (seating

talents and time to enrich our worship.

around 680). In the 1980s a decision was made to separate the 1860 nave from its older aisle to form

The Benedict Chapel and the Majendie Hall were

a church hall (in the nave) and a nave (in the aisle).

added during the restoration. Together they formed

Pause to leave a prayer on the prayer board before

the chancel and the nave, and the current church

exiting the church.

became an aisle. This work cost £2,588 and was paid for by Henry Majendie, who also financed other major

Outside, turn right and walk through the well-

works in this and adjoining parishes. The statue of St

maintained churchyard. The lychgate at the far side

Benedict of Nursia stands sentinel over his chapel. He

opens onto a lane leading to the Lady Well. The stone

founded the Benedictine Order, sometimes known as

marks the site of a mediæval holy well. Every year a

the Black Monks because of the colour of their habit.

short service of blessing takes place. Give thanks for

Pray for the many religious communities in our diocese

the peace and tranquillity of God’s creation.

today.

OXFORD DIOCESE PILGRIM PROJECT

You might also like to visit other nearby churches in the Pilgrim Project:

Oxford Diocese Pilgrim Project: St Mary the Virgin, Speen RG14 1SA

St Thomas of Canterbury, Goring Site of ancient priory

Website: www.st-mary-speen.org

St Swithun’s, Compton Beauchamp Unique 20th century furnishings Dorchester Abbey Ancient abbey church

PILGRIMAGE PRAYER Pilgrim God, You are our origin and our destination.

Travel with us, we pray, in every pilgrimage of faith, and every journey of the heart.

Give us the courage to set off, the nourishment we need to travel well, and the welcome we long for at our journey’s end.

So may we grow in grace and love for you and in the service of others. through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford

Illustrations by Brian Hall © Diocese of Oxford