The name of Mosterton is derived from the original name of “ MORTESTORNE ”. The Doomsday Book confirms that there was a Chapel in Mortestorne in 1086, situated on the opposite side of the road from Chapel Court. The Chapel was taken down in 1832 but the site of the Chapel and Graveyard is still visible in the lane opposite to Chapel Court Farm. Several gravestones can still be seen there, marking the position of internments.

The present St Mary‘s Church was built in 1833 (to a design by Edmund Pearce, which is his only recorded church in the county), and there is a notice board on the front of the balcony ( see photograph ) giving details, as follows:- .

THIS CHAPEL

Was built and enlarged in the Year 1833, it con-

tains 359 sittings and in consequence of a grant

from the Incorporated Society for promoting the

enlargement, building and repairing of Churches

and Chapels, 259 of that number are hereby de-

clared to be free and unappropriated for ever.

John Wills - Minister

William Dawbney and Abraham Hull

Chapel - Wardens.

The East Window, depicting a Tractor and Combine Harvester below Christ in Majesty, ( see photograph ), was presented by the Cobb Family. It was made in 1975 by Geoffrey Robinson.

Mosterton is very lucky to still have, in addition to the Church, the Parrott and Axe C of E Primary School, the Admiral Hood Public House, and a Village Hall, plus the Mosterton Stores and Post Office, which is the hub of the village.

Parrott and Axe School, which has recently received an excellent S.A.T.S. report, use the Church for Special Services, e.g. End of Year, Harvest, etc. In addition, Mrs Ros McLachlan, Licensed Lay Minister, conducts a Full School Worship at the School each Wednesday, during Term Time. Contact between the Church and the School is also maintained by Lindsay Williamson, ( Lay Chairman of the PC.C. ) who is Chairman of the School Governors and by Mrs Sue Pakes, ( P.C.C. Treasurer ) who is a Foundation Governor.

We have recently had our Quinnquenial Inspection and we have been informed that there are serious structural problems with the Church Tower and Roof, together with other less serious matters which require attention.

We are now awaiting a further inspection of the tower and roof by a Structural Engineer. When this report is available, further discussions will be held with our Architect to decide the way ahead and what work needs to be carried out to bring the Church to a satisfactory and safe condition so that it can remain functional in the future.

Once details of the work required and the costs involved ( which are likely to be considerable ) are known, these will be circulated to all residents and the means of raising the amount required will be considered.

Your prayers are needed to help us through the difficult time ahead to bring your Church back to a satisfactory condition for the benefit of all.