SD8010 : "There But Not There" an installation for the fallen
taken 6 years ago, near to Bury, England
Bury Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin is located at the highest point in the town centre with its spire easily visible from the surrounding area. Although the present building is Victorian, it is of mediæval origin. Church records suggest that the first church was built on the site in 971 AD when parishes were first formed by King Edgar of England, although this is likely to have been a wood and thatch structure which is thought to have been used until a church in the gothic style was completed in 1585. The main body of this church was demolished and rebuilt between 1773 leaving only the spire from the previous church.
The church was completely rebuilt during the nineteenth century. The spire was replaced in 1842 but by 1870 the wood in the rest of the church had rotted and the main body of the church was rebuilt between 1871 and 1876 in late 13th century style to a design by J S Crowther. This building was on a much grander scale and, with the nave now higher than the base of the spire; the two were neatly joined by the addition of a narthex with its pitched roof set at right angles to that of nave. The narthex now houses a coffee shop and Christian bookshop.
The building is Grade I listed (Historic England List Entry Number: 1067236 Link Heritage Gateway).
Link Bury Parish Church website