As well as being a welcoming place for worship, St Mary’s Church in Iffley, is a place of heritage and beauty. The little changed Norman church building has become home to the Living Stones project where visitors and volunteers take part in art, music and historical events each year.
The church itself was built in 1160, near Oxford and the parish includes Iffley village, Rose Hill and parts of Donnington. The churchyard is home to a yew tree which is older still, and the rectory which dates to the 13th century.
Living Stones organises three or four special activities each year. These are designed to deepen our understanding of the history and purpose of Iffley Church and to engage participants through art, music and curiosity. These include medieval mystery plays, drawing classes, 12th century worship and stone carving courses.
Penny Tyack, Activities Coordinator describes how visitors respond to the church. She said: “Young children tend to hit the nail on the head. ‘Wow!’ An eight-year-old had rounded the corner and skidded to a halt face to face with the great west doorway. A thoughtful, ‘Do you own this building?’ from a little girl stepping gingerly into the chancel. ‘No!’ was the answer, then, after a pause, ‘We all own it. It belongs to us all.’ And that is a curious thing: as the building quietly enters people’s consciousness it seems to take hold, and they (we) feel it belongs to us.”
She added: “Historians have opened our eyes to how Iffley’s builders and worshippers have, over time, understood and used the building. Lectures and architectural tours, and a conference on Annora the Anchoress have enlightened audiences about the theological, visual, cultural and scientific context of Iffley Church’s conception.”
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