Celebrates it's bicentenary next year, apparently. According to the Chronicle the tower dates back to 1380, being part of a church that formerly stood on the same site. I never knew that.
I used to church bell ring at St Marys. Was tower captain there and ringing master of the Barnsley and District society of ringers back in the 80s. You didnt know that either !!!!!!
My Grandfather was organist there in the late 70s, and I got married there in the late 90s. Two more other useless bits of information.
I went to a cousin's wedding there but it must have been over 30 years ago. I vaguely remember it as being quite austere inside?
Yes it's true. Haven't done it for years now but I was very keen and not too bad at it. Have rung at St Pauls and Westminster Abbey once or twice for example. Suppose I could take it up again if I really wanted.
Back then it would have been very traditional / strict C of E protocols. I think it relaxed somewhat more recently. Not been in there since my Mother’s funeral over 10 years ago.
Up the belfry the bell ringer stands Jerking his gerkin with both of his hands Down in the vestry the vicar doth yell “Stop jerking thi gerkin an ring t f***ing bell!”
I was baptised and confirmed there. My parents were married there, and my mother's funeral service was held there. I went in for some nostalgia before a match a few weeks ago and spoke to the vicar. He said he's pretty sure there was a Saxon church on the same site in the 9th century.
It is High Church though. There used to be loads of incense floating around when I attended Communion as a boy.
