Music and Bellringing at St Mary’s
St Mary’s Music
St Mary’s is home to our fabulous church choir. The choir rehearses on Friday evenings and sings for our regular worship including monthly choral Evensong. Newcomers and enquirers welcome.
St Mary’s has always had a rich musical tradition and welcomes concerts and performers throughout the year.
Experience the magic of music at St Mary’s Church Afternoon Concerts. There is a rich tapestry of performances to enjoy.
Your presence enriches the harmony of our musical community.
All are welcome!
Further Information on past and upcoming music can be found at stmarysmusic.org
Bellringing
Our bell tower hosts a friendly group of ringers of all ages mostly from the town. The bells ring for Sunday services, weddings, special events, and community celebrations. We practice every Tuesday at 7:30 pm and take part in ringing events at other churches.
St Mary’s is also home to Let’s Ring! — a recruitment and training initiative led by Catherine White-Horne, welcoming newcomers to learn this historic craft.
We host popular outreach events for schools and scouts and open the tower during Heritage Open Days each autumn. Visitors enjoy guided tours of the antique clock room, bell-ringing demonstrations, and rooftop views of Thornbury and the surrounding countryside.
Whether you're a seasoned ringer, eager to learn, or just curious, we’d love to welcome you to our bell tower. Join us for a practice or contact the church office by clicking here... We’d love to hear from you!
Experience the magic of music at St Mary’s Church Afternoon Concerts. There is a rich tapestry of performances to enjoy.
Your presence enriches the harmony of our musical community.
All are welcome!
Choral Evensongs
2nd Sunday of every month - 6pm
Evensong is described by The Guardian as ‘one of England's richest heritages – a living musical tradition that costs nothing to experience live’.
Every month, we hold a service of Choral Evensong so you can appreciate this wonderful and evocative institution in the ancient surroundings of St Mary’s, Thornbury.
The service has been sung regularly since the 16th Century and is based on the daily offices held in the medieval church. Music – and the choir – is at its heart, and each service taps into the rich vein of English church music composed throughout the centuries.
Because of its ancient lineage, the old forms of the prayers and bible readings are used. After the introduction to the service, the choir recites the appointed Psalm which you can follow in the Prayer Book. The Lesson from the Old Testament is read and then the Choir sing the Magnificat, the song of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The New Testament Lesson is followed by the Choir singing the Nunc Dimittis, the song of Simeon. We then say together the Apostles’ Creed, and prayers are sung by a Cantor and the Choir which end with a reflective period where the Collects are read. An anthem is sung and a final hymn concludes the service, leaving you to sit for as long as you want and reflect on the day gone by.
If you get a chance, do come along to this rarely held service and be steeped in history.
Cream Teas and Ringing Galore at Thornbury
By Catherine White-Horne
The traditional Bristol Rural Cream Tea Practice found a new venue last month as St Mary’s Thornbury opened its doors and extended a warm welcome to 20 ringers from around our region. Our wonderful new servery was admired and put to good use providing everything we needed for perfect refreshments in style.
My call for volunteers had been answered by many and we had home-made scones and jam plus a scrumptious cake to make the event extra-special. Many thanks to all those who got baking and making and special thanks to Mary York and Rosemary Morgan for looking after the catering on the day.
We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone again next year!
