St Mary’s, Ross On Wye

St Mary’s Church the “jewel in the crown of Ross,” with its well-proportioned spire (the highest in Herefordshire) sits proudly above the town. The building dates mainly from the late 13th and 14th centuries though two sensitive restorations in the 19th century and a complete reordering of the nave in recent years are responsible for the look and feel of the building today. Of particular note is the early 15th century glass in the east window and a fine collection of mainly 16th and 17th century monuments to the Rudhall family.

Today St Mary’s is a bright flexible 21st century space, well equipped to serve its vibrant worshiping community, as well as the town, while celebrating the splendour of Decorated Gothic. Visitors regularly comment on the sense of a lively worshiping space that speaks of a close relationship to its community.

Visitors will find well-presented information boards giving a background to the many stories the building has to tell and linking the church’s history to its work in the community today. There’s also a hedgehog hut for smaller people, though large ones seem to like it too! (The hedgehog is the symbol of Ross and Archenfield).

The stories continue out in the churchyard where a Plague Cross marks the burial place of 315 Ross people who died in 1637 when, led by Vicar Philip Price, cut themselves off to prevent the spread of infection – yes it didn’t just happen in Derbyshire! The nearby Prospect offers the best views in the town and the stories continue out there of John Kyrle, the Man of Ross, a lost fountain and gardens recreated in augmented reality and the Prospect Riots.

The town offers many coffee shops and speciality shopping. Check us out at rossparishes.uk before your visit.