AN HISTORIC Worcestershire church designed by Capability Brown will be marking the 50th anniversary of it being looked after by a national charity with a spectacular three-hour peal of bells.
St Mary Magdalene’s Church in the grounds of Croome Court will ring out across the Malvern Hills today, Thursday, February 26, when staff, volunteers and community supporters come together for a special celebration to recognise exactly five decades’ care from the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT).
The Grade I-listed building was built in 1758 after the original church was demolished by the 6th Earl of Coventry when he decided to replace his adjacent Jacobean house.
The interior modelled by Robert Adam and built by some of the finest craftsmen in England, features intricate plaster mouldings and carved pews.
In 2024 it saw the completion of the restoration of its six bells following a gift by a benefactor. To mark the anniversary, bell ringers will deliver a full peal lasting around three hours, with over 5,000 changes or permutations.
Tracy Genever, local community officer for CCT, said: “It’s amazing to think of the changes that this beautiful church has seen over its lifetime and the last 50 years have been no different.
“In 1975, it stood in a lonely field whilst the house was used as a Catholic boys’ school and now it is one of the jewels in the crown of the National Trust Croome Park Estate and visited by tens of thousands of people every year.
“The bells really bring the church alive every Sunday and to have them fully restored and ringing a full peal to mark the 50th anniversary is a real treat.”
Paul Smith, bell tower captain added: “It’s been an incredible journey being involved with the rebirth of Croome’s un-ringable 17th Century bells.
“As you can imagine, ringing is now much encouraged and visiting ringers are warmly welcomed.”
St Mary Magdalene’s was vested into the care of the CCT on February, 26, 1975. The national charity protects historic churches no longer used for regular worship.
Read more about it and St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Croome D’Abitot here.
The church is open daily, entry can be made via the National Trust reception. For opening times visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/worcestershire-herefordshire/croome.
