St Mary’s Church, Garsington, stands on a raised hilltop site commanding fine views across the Thames Valley towards the Wittenham Clumps.
The wedding scene in “Amazing Grace” was filmed at this church.
The present church has weekly services with regular attendance averaging 16 people. Many more take part in activities such as bell ringing and flower arranging, while the biannual Fête (the last was in Seotember 2021) brings a large number of people working together. Our congregation contains a good spread of ages, ranging from people newly moved in to others who have lived in Garsington for many years. The church has strong links with the local church school. Visitors often remark about the friendliness of St Mary’s.
St Mary’s has embarked on further development, thanks to a generous parishoner’s legacy. The work includes an overhaul of the bells and the installation of a small serving area in the church. A repair on the organ pedal-board has already been carried out. In autumn 2010 the interior was redecorated and further restoration of decayed stonework around our windows was completed in 2012.
St Mary’s completed in 2007 a buildings restoration project costing over £200,000.
St Mary’s has a rota of three capable organists, so the organ is used for music on most Sundays.
Services
Services in St Mary’s Church, Garsington and Benefice services for July 2023
9th July The Fifth Sunday after Trinity
9:30am Parish Communion
16th July The Sixth Sunday after Trinity
9:30am Parish Communion
23rd July The Seventh Sunday after Trinity
(9:30am – possibly Breakfast Discussion. Possibly no service)
4:30pm Pimms and Hymns and farewell to the Revd Dr Sarah Brush
30th July The Eighth Sunday after Trinity
10am Benefice Communion – at St Giles’, Horspath
Private Prayer St Mary’s Garsington Open daily 10am –6pm approx
Benefice Service
On the fifth Sunday of the month, the parishes of Cuddesdon, Garsington and Horspath worship together alternating in each other’s churches.
Every fifth Sunday at 10:00pm for 1 hour
Parish Communion
Our Sunday morning service is normally a Parish Communion.
Every Sunday at 9.30am for 1 hour
Fourth Sunday Breakfast Time
The fourth Sunday of the month begins with coffee and pastries followed by a discussion on a topical issue. The time concludes with a short time of prayer.