We are part of the Three Valleys Benefice. If you would like to hold a wedding, blessing, christening or funeral in this beautiful church, please contact the church warden in the first instance.
Team Vicar
The Reverend George Moody, The Rectory, Church Street, Yetminster, DT9 6LG
Tel: 01935 873214, Email: revgeorgemoody@gmail.com
Church Warden
Lucy Parrott 01963 210642
Services
1st Sunday in the month – 10am Holy Communion
3rd Sunday in the month – 10am Holy Communion
As we only currently have one vicar, services will be vary. Please always check the Three Valleys Benefice website for up-to-date information.
Events (See Events Page for more detail)
22nd December 2024 – Carol Service
All welcome. Mulled wine and mince pies after the service.
10th January 2025 – Pop Up Pub
Drinks, snacks and hot dogs will be served in the village hall.
11th April 2025 – Pop Up Pub
Drinks, snacks and hot dogs will be served in the village hall.
Bell Ringing
Join the team or come and learn. Contact Edwin Parrott on 01963 210642 for more information.
Electoral Roll
Application for Enrolment on the Church Electoral Roll
One-off and Regular Giving
If you would like to contribute to the running costs of this beautiful Grade II* Church and to help build a stronger, happier local community, please click on the JustGiving link below:
Donations
Our two local chosen charities for 2016, Rendezvous and Future Roots each received a cheque for £163.90 after collections at our Carol and Christmas Eve Services.
In 2017 our donations were to Dorset Historical Churches £50, RABI £120 (from Harvest Festival), Samaritans £184.50 and Sherborne Food Bank £184.50 (both from Christmas collections).
In 2018 our donations went to Dorset Mind and The Leonardo Trust (both from Christmas Collections).
In 2019 our donations went to Mosaic Family Support and Countrymen UK (both from Christmas Collections).
In 2021 our donations went to RABI (from Harvest Festival) and Yeovil Freewheelers (from Christmas Collections).
In 2022 our donations went to RABI (from Harvest Festival) and Magic Breakfast (from Christmas Collections).
In 2023 our donations went to RABI (from Harvest Festival) and The Shelter Bus Dorset (from Christmas Collections).
In 2024 our donations so far have gone to RABI (from Harvest Festival).
Safeguarding
Glanvilles Wootton St Mary the Virgin Church takes its responsibilities surrounding the safeguarding of children, young people, and adults who may be at risk very seriously, and works in partnership with the Diocese of Salisbury to ensure that we work in accordance with best practice at all times.
Our Parish Safeguarding Policy can be downloaded [here]
If you have any Safeguarding questions or concerns you can contact our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Georgina Taylor on 01963 210857 or email georginataylor1@btinternet.com. Alternatively you can contact one of the two Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers: Mrs Suzy Futcher on mobile 07500 664800 from Monday to Thursday 9:00-17:00 and/or Mr Jem Carter on 07469 857888 from Tuesday to Friday 9:00-17:00. Service provider ‘thirtyone:eight’ provides cover from Friday 17:00 to Monday 8:00 – Tel 0303 0031111. Alternatively you can call the local authority social services at Dorset Council on 01305 221122.
IF THERE IS IMMEDIATE RISK OR DANGER PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE ON 999
Short History of our Church
This beautiful old Church, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin sits in the Benefice of the White Hart Vale and the Diocese of Salisbury.
It is built entirely in the Perpendicular style except for the ancient Chantry which is of the Decorated period.
It is thought that there has been a building for worship at this tranquil spot since the 12th Century. The first de Glanville arrived here around 1216 and became the Lord of the Manor of Glanvilles Wootton or as it was known then, Wootton Glanville.
John Hutchin in his ‘History of Dorset’ states that the Chantry was refounded by Sibylla de Glanville in 1344. The figure in the alcove in the Chantry is likely to be that of an early de Glanville, perhaps the husband of Sibylla?
The dilapidated nave of the main church was restored in the 19th Century by E.R.Dale, parishioners and friends. This was under the supervision of a local architect G.R. Crickmay who was responsible for the entire restoration of the church.
If you have time, look for the special features in the church. On the wooden font cover there is a little mouse ( also one on a Chancel stall) .They are from the ‘House of the Mouse’. The encaustic floor tiles in the Chantry are Victorian replacements of the originals and depict the legend of King Henry III’s protected white stag ( note the stag weathervane) and Thomas de la Lynde who killed it. They include The King’s horseman, the archer Thomas de la Lynde himself and a stag and hound. The carved bench ends are copies of the originals in Hilfield. There is a beautiful decorated piscina and an interesting but curious hagioscope which gives a view of the high altar. Into it leads a smaller hagioscope from under the Chantry arch. As well as the impressive stained glass windows there is medieval glass high in the tracery of the windows. On the outside is a scratch dial.
This Church is a gem in Dorset and must be cared and looked after.
Church Recorders (Updated 21/03/18)
During the year 2016/2017 at 11a.m, every Thursday morning from April to November a group of people can be found in the porch of the Church having their coffee break!
They are members of the Church Recorder Group affiliated to NADFAS (The National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies) and are there to undertake a survey recording all the fittings and artistic artefacts that are to be found in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin which is a Church with a 14 Century tower, a 19th Restoration of the main church and with an ancient Chantry Chapel.
The project is fascinating and the amount of information that has been discovered is so interesting. Everything is described, measured and noted down with drawings and photographs. This includes textiles, metalwork , paintings ,library, windows, stonework, woodwork and memorials. All this will eventually be put together in a bound book to enable the village now and future generations to discover exactly what is contained in their beautiful Church.
On Sunday 28th January at our Coffee and Chat, the Church Recorders represented to the PCC the completed project in a beautiful blue bound book. The PCC has decided to purchase another copy which will be on permanent display in the church. Also at the Coffee and Chat, Margaret Stainer donated a picture of the church (see photo below) to the PCC. Again this will be displayed in the church.
FOR SALE
Michelle McCullagh kindly drew this sketch of our lovely church so that we could raise much needed funds for the church through the sale of postcards and notelets. If you would like to purchase any of these, please contact Louise Sandy on 01963 210256. Postcards are 50p each and the notelets (including envelopes) are £1 each or 5 for £4. There will also be some for sale in the church. We would like to thank Michelle for allowing us to sell the original in the silent auction at the fête.