Key facts
- Denomination
- Church of England
- Address
- Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3AF
Hertfordshire - Built
- 1140
- Listed status
- Grade I listed
Sources: Historic England list entry 1078099, Wikipedia, Wikidata Q7594347, OpenStreetMap, stmaryshemel.org.uk
Before visiting St Mary's
Service times are not recorded in this listing. We cannot confirm when the next service takes place or whether the building opens outside worship hours.
We do not have confirmed information here about step-free access, accessible toilets, hearing support or supervised children’s groups. If these matter for your visit, ask the church about the specific service you plan to attend.
Check the church’s website →About St Mary's
St Mary’s is the Church of England parish church for Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, and the town’s earliest surviving place of worship. It remains a parish church and is protected as a Grade I listed building.
Work on the present church began in 1140. It was consecrated ten years later, although building continued for around three further decades. The cruciform structure has Norman architecture, with later medieval porches and a nineteenth-century vestry. Local clunch and flint form the main fabric, alongside reused Roman brick. Its chancel was built first, followed by the nave, transepts and tower. A fourteenth-century spire rises to about 200 feet and carries a gilded weather vane. Inside are an original Norman font, a memorial to surgeon Sir Astley Paston Cooper, and a Walker organ restored in 2008. Eight bells, cast between 1590 and 1767, were retuned and rehung with new fittings in 1950.
Getting there
Frequently asked questions
What denomination is St Mary's?⌄
St Mary's in Hemel Hempstead belongs to the Church of England tradition.
How old is the St Mary's building?⌄
The building dates from 1140. It is on the statutory register as a Grade I listed building.
How do I contact St Mary's?⌄
You can reach St Mary's through its website at stmaryshemel.org.uk.
Other Church of England churches in Hemel Hempstead
More churches in Hemel Hempstead
Nearby churches
About this listing
This listing was put together from publicly available information and has not passed through our submission review process. If you represent St Mary's, you can claim and update the listing free of charge, and once reviewed we will mark the submission as reviewed.
Claim or correct this listing →