About Us
St Mary's Walterstone is part of the new Black Mountains Group of Parishes.
The earliest parts of the fabric of this church to survive are the chancel windows of c.1500 and the late medieval base and shaft of the churchyard cross. However, it is likely that the later walls, dating from restorations in the 16th to the 19th centuries, stand on the original foundations. The font is c.13th century. An early 17th century stained-glass window depicts the quartered arms of the family of Cecil, brought here from the family home at nearby Allt-yr-Ynys, where the cousin of Sir William Cecil, Lord Burghley (the chief minister of Queen Elizabeth I) lived. This cousin’s funeral at Walterstone Church in 1598 was an extremely grand ceremony, with the church and churchyard overflowing with mourners. The monuments include a 1775 Price tablet of slate signed by Aaron Brute, a notable sculptural mason of the 18th century. The Price family included vicars of Walterstone and early pioneers of the Church Missionary Society. The parish has an Iron Age hillfort. Walterstone motte-and-bailey castle is adjacent to the church (on private property) and the views towards the Skirrid are superb.
SERVICES
We follow a Festival pattern of services holding some 6 events per year around Eastertide, summer, Harvest, Advent and Christmas. Please check the services and events tab on this website for updates.
VISITING
The church and churchyard are both open to visitors and we invite you to drop in if you are passing.
We are delighted that St Mary's Walterstone is a stopping point on the Golden Valley Pilgrim trail. We provide a stamp for pilgrims to record their visit - see our logo on the home page.
The church is also a stopping point on the Twin Valleys Ley Line Trail see this link
To welcome our visitors, we have an information leaflet about the Church - please pick up a copy when you visit. We hope you enjoy visiting St Mary's and its churchyard in the foothills of the Black Mountains!