Parishes of Brewood and Bishops Wood

Friends of St. Mary The Virgin &  St. Chad Church

Brewood

The Heart of  your village

for countless years!

Your ancient Parish Church, which stands in the large churchyard at the centre of your village, is now in as good a condition as it has been for over a century.   Following a detailed inspection the severe damage to the stonework of the Spire and Tower openings has been repaired.

 Over the centuries from at least 1220 the Church has undergone numerous radical and minor changes to both the actual structure (including the roof) and the interior. The last major rebuilding of the decaying structure took place in 1878/80.  This gave us the present building that we and our visitors see and admire. 

In 1999 we considered how part of the interior of the Church building could be altered to serve the 21st century community.  The West End was altered without destroying any part of the structure. The project has proved to be a great success. We now have an area that can be used more satisfactorily for concerts, school presentations, meetings and exhibitions and includes a toilet and a small servery for refreshments.

The Brewood Village Appraisal showed that the Parish Church was highly valued by the whole community.  Many said that although they did not use the Church for worship, they valued it as a haven of quiet; others felt it was the focal point of the village and others that it was essential for baptisms, weddings and funerals. They acknowledged that it was their Church and their Churchyard.

The regular members of the congregation have many claims on their contributions. Heating and lighting costs are rising rapidly. Cleaning costs are a constant problem. Wages continue to rise. Pension costs are now very significant (yes even our retired clergy are living longer now). Insurance costs increase every year but it must be paid.

The congregation simply cannot afford to pay all the ongoing running costs of the Church and put aside money for the future maintenance of the building which, without doubt, will be needed as the years go. Our Church is a very old and very large building. 

The village would certainly miss the Church if it were to be destroyed.

If you, our fellow villagers, wish to see your Church maintained, we would ask you to join The Friends of St. Mary the Virgin and St. Chad Church. 

The Friends of the Church has been formed to assist in the financing and ongoing maintenance of the Church fabric, the organ and the Churchyard. 

Please help with this vital work

  We receive no financial help from the Council, the Government or the Lichfield Diocese  towards the burden of maintaining this national treasure (listed Grade1), and, in addition, have to pay VAT on all maintenance works.

If you can help, please see details on next page - Thank You

Membership Form