About

St Mary’s Church is a Grade I-listed medieval parish church at the heart of Old Amersham, with origins dating back to around 1140 A.D. The site has long been a place of worship, historically located where the Roman Road crosses the Little River Misbourne. Early missionaries and evangelist bishops baptised converts here, making it a centre of faith for centuries.

During the Middle Ages, as Amersham grew, the church was extended and modified, particularly in the 14th and 15th centuries. In the early 16th century, it was closely linked to the story of the Amersham Martyrs, townspeople who were executed for their Protestant beliefs during the reign of Henry VIII.

St Mary’s has welcomed many notable visitors, including John Knox, Oliver Cromwell, Richard Baxter, and William Penn. In the 17th century, the Drake family acquired the town and have remained patrons of the parish, with the Drake Chapel inside the church housing numerous family memorials.

Extensive restorations in the 19th and 20th centuries, including the flint cladding and re-pewing, preserved the church’s medieval character while making it suitable for worship, concerts, and arts events. Visitors can explore the church, its historical interior, and the Drake Chapel during services or by appointment.

An excellent guide to St Mary’s history is available from the Parish Office, offering detailed insights into the church’s architecture, heritage, and its place at the centre of Old Amersham life.

Photo taken by UKgeofan under CC BY-SA 3.0 license

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