Welcome to the website for our beautiful, historic church of St Mary the Virgin which was built by the Portal Family for the two villages of Freefolk and Laverstoke in 1896 when the villages outgrew the old church of St Nicholas. Both St Mary and St Nicholas churches are used for services.
Our villages nestle along the Test Valley church between Overton and Whitchurch, and area of outstanding natural beauty. The church is in a partnership (benefice) with St Mary’s, Overton, and four other churches in the Winchester Diocese.
Honouring the sense of history and traditions handed down to us, our churches often use the Book of Common Prayer 1662 version, valuing the reflective style of spirituality. These services are held in the chancel in contrast to our lively family festival services in the main body of the church. We have two regular services a month.
St Mary the Virgin is open to visit, for private prayer and reflection on Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 4pm unless there is a service. It has beautiful medieval styled winged altarpiece (reredos). St Nicholas across the road which belongs to the Churches Conservation Trust, is open every day and is also a great place to go for quiet prayer and contemplation.
In all our worship we seek to love God, follow Jesus and be transformed by the Spirit to live in service to our neighbours and community.
Come and join us at St Mary’s and St Nicholas’. We would love to get to know you.
Take a look at the services and events we have coming up.
We seek to promote care for God’s creation by way of personal and collective actions towards a greener and more sustainable future.
At St Mary the Virgin we work hard to maintain a safe environment for all. We are committed to implementing the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policies and good practice guidance.
St Mary the Virgin is part of the Benefice of Overton which is made up of six churches, with congregations dedicated to serving the spiritual, educational and cultural needs of the surrounding community. Our doors are always open to community members looking for a place to worship.
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