St Mary & All Saints Church Beaconsfield

Helped a friend shoot a wedding today in a registry office opposite this beautiful church that I didn't even know what there as you hardly see it from the main A40 which I drive on every day.

The church is situated in Windsor End, Beaconsfield Old Town and its website shows that it has a list of clergy dating back to 1210 A.D and last year it celebrated 800 years of ministry here going back to William de Windsor who was appointed in 1210 by the Rector of Burnham, Walter de Windsor (they wonder if there could there have been a family connection?!).

Their website says that little is known of the church architecture until 1420 but it was evidently a well-constructed building with a tower, because in 1420, the Lord of the Manor made a grant towards the upkeep of the belfry. In 1521 John Waller left money to build a steeple. In 1634 and 1657 Inspectors of Churches reported that the fabric was badly in need of repair, but it was not until 1705, when the rights of patronage passed to Magdalen College, Oxford, that extensive repairs were put in hand.

Through the centuries, there have been a few rectors who have gone on to become bishops, one who witnessed the historic meeting between Henry VIII and the King of France at the Field of the Cloth of Gold and many who faithfully served the people of Beaconsfield over the years.

As the population of Beaconsfield grew, a larger church was needed and between 1869 and 1885, a major rebuilding scheme was undertaken, resulting in one of the finest churches in the Chilterns.

It certainly looked lovely today, from the angle I saw, and maybe I will go inside soon to take some pictures of the stained glass and stone carvings etc.