St Mary'S Church, Marston Moreteyne And Lidlington

St. Mary the Virgin Church serves the parish of Marston Moretaine and Lidlington through worship, prayer, and social action.

St Mary's Church : A brief history

St Mary's Church lies at the heart of a small Bedfordshire village and is situated in an area known as Marston Vale. Up until
the early 21st Century this area was famous for brick making. Established in the 19th Century, this industry lasted for over a century. Now it
is seen as a place of population development and as the site of the Millennium Park. This latter establishment is the central focus of a
developing community forest, where native woodland is being re-established in what was once a scarred area, due to the extraction of the
valuable clay deposits. Artificial boating lakes have been developed over the years as a way of filling in clay pits and making an area of
beauty for recreational purposes. This aim to beautify continues to the present day.

Against this background, the ancient church of St. Mary's Marston Moreteyne, has watched over the changing face of the Vale since the
mid-fifteenth century. Evidence exists that there was probably an earlier church on the site, which may have been established in Anglo Saxon
times.

The unusual detached tower of the church, with it's thick walls at the base, suggest that this was once a watchtower, or a place of refuge in
times of strife. There is a theory that it may have been used to protect villagers from the pillage of the Vikings, whose long ships may have
sailed as far as Bedford on the River Ouse. We will probably never the know the truth of this . . but it makes for a good story.

St. Mary the Virgin Church, as has been stated, is largely 15th Century and contains 'treasures' from that period, notably the 'Doom' painting
which can be seen above the Chancel Arch. This was known to have existed, even though it remained covered until the 1960's, when a team
from the Victoria and Albert Museum revealed what had been concealed for centuries. A 'Doom' painting shows the Last Judgement and the
separation of the souls, when Christ returns. Marston's 'Doom', is arguably the best in the County (where very few examples exist) and
among the finest in the Country from the point of view of their preservation.

Also from Medieval times, once can see parts of a painted 'Rood Screen' and fragments of old glass. Other interesting features are the Font
and the carved roof with it's angels, one of which is mysteriously missing. There are niches where statues of Saints once stood and
unusual 'squints' cut through the Chancel from the Reynes Chapel through which, it is believed, priests watched the progress of the
services in order to be 'on cue' for entry. An alternative suggestion for these openings was for lepers or other 'undesirables' to stand to watch
the service without causing offence.

St Mary's is full of interesting features too numerous to record here. It is well worth a visit and few are disappointed.

Worship in this historic place has continued unbroken for virtually a thousand years and all visitors are welcome to join the congregation at
services on a Sunday morning, or simply to come and look around this inspiring building.