Churches

St Mary of the Salutation

St Mary's Church occupies an imposing location above the road into the town centre from Shrewsbury and the North, and is a Grade 1 listed building and the largest church building in use in the Montgomery Archdeaconry. The original church was built in about 1250, the lower courses of the sturdy tower being the oldest remaining fabric. The nave was rebuilt in the 16th century, and the building as a whole was substantially restored by G.E. Street in 1871. Unusually, the chancel is not in direct line with the nave, but offset to the north (though no-one knows why). The 15th century chancel ceiling may have come from Strata Marcella Abbey, some five miles away, and a stone in the churchyard is said to have been part of the abbot's throne. There is a ring of eight bells, rehung in the 1960's, and the church contains a fine Father Willis organ, dated 1884. A modern memorial in the church commemorates Bishop William Morgan, translator of the scriptures into Welsh, who was Vicar from 1575 to 1579. Built on a steep slope, the church is approached from the road below via many steps, though there is limited vehicular access for disabled people via the churchyard, with a ramp to the tower door. There are two or three Sunday services, and the building is normally open on weekdays through the summer months. There is also a small chapel at Belan, two miles outside the town. St Mary's has a well-used Church Room, an active Mothers' Union branch, developing children's work, choir, bellringers, study and fellowship groups and 'Serendipity', our parish and community magazine.