St Mary’s Church, Beaminster has for centuries been a place of great religious, architectural and cultural significance. Today it continues to serve the community in these ways and the Friends help to maintain the link between the Church and the people of Beaminster.

Maintenance is a costly endeavour and with such an ancient building there is a continuing need for funds. Becoming a Friend is one of the best ways in which you can help to ensure that not only we, but future generations, can continue to use and enjoy a building of value to all the community.

Membership now stands at over 250 and some £50,000 has been raised to date. Major projects funded by the Friends include: the restoration of the North Porch; the re-laying of the Church path; the conservation of the wrought iron gates and fence at the entrance to the Church; and replacement of the altar dais carpet. In 2009 the Friends have funded the cleaning of stonework in the Church and the repair of a table tomb in the Churchyard.

Membership is open to everyone interested in St Mary’s Church, regardless of religious persuasion. The aim of the Friends is to enable the community at large to use and enjoy this wonderful building. The committee arranges an annual programme of fund-raising events, including some outstanding concerts, such as the regular visits of Collegium Regale, the Choral Scholars of King’s College, Cambridge.

Forthcoming events are advertised on the Beaminster Team website, in the monthly Team News and in the local press.

If you are not already a member do please consider joining the Friends. We need your support. Application forms are available in the Church or from the Church Office at 8 Hogshill Street, Beaminster DT8 3AE (telephone 01308 862320).

For further information please contact the Honorary Secretary,