A Brief History of St. Mary's

St Mary & All Saints is the largest parish church in Worcestershire. It dates mainly from the 15th and 16th centuries. The fine tower stands on the south side of the church and has niches for statues and panelled battlements. The close-set clerestory windows are square headed and further on is a small turret containing a staircase to the nave roof.

The 'minster' part of the name may indicate that there was a church here in 1086 when the name first occurs (in the Domesday Book). Names of incumbents are known from the second half of the 12th century onwards. They were initially Rectors but around 1336 the priory of Maiden Bradley in Wiltshire acquired the rectorial rights.

Thenceforth the church had Vicars presented by the Priory and, after the Dissolution of the monasteries, by laymen. Such an important church has several times beenused for ordinations.

In the Middle Ages there were at least 5 Chantries connected with the church. The Chantry of St Mary, founded in the late C13th was in a detached chapel east of the church. The Chantry of St Katherine was founded by Lady Joyce Beauchamp in 1469. Chantries were dissolved in 1548 in the reign of Edward VI.

Richard Baxter, the great C17th divine, was appointed Lecturer (or preacher) in 1641 and remained here until 1661 (with a break during the Civil War). During his stay in Kidderminster he wrote some of his best known works. In 1847 a south aisle was added to the chancel and in 1874 the organ chamber was attached to the north side. Considerable restorations have taken place during the last century and much outer stonework dates from that period.

The Whittall Chapel on the north side of the chancel was built in 1922. During 1990-91 the interior of the church was re-ordered and re-wired. New woodwork in limed oak made by Robert Davies was added in the chancel. New ironwork from this period includes the corona above the new altar and the font canopy.