Saint Mary the Virgin Church, Bath

The Church of Saint Mary the Blessed Virgin, to give the church its full name, is located at the foot of Bathwick Hill, east of the River Avon. The Church dates to the Georgian era, and was designed by architect John Pinch, who also landscaped the nearby Sydney Pleasure Gardens. A Gothic church typical of 19th century ecclesiastical designs, the church continues to house a strong Catholic congregation. One of the more active churches in the city, Saint Mary the Virgin Church holds Eucharist mass on Sunday at 10.30am, with morning and evening mass held on each weekday.

The church is known nationally for its adult choir, which has featured on television and radio, and has performed around the UK and across Europe. The church has a strong musical tradition, with a successful boys’ choir in residence until the 1980s, and still has a functioning church organ, installed by Father Henry Willis. This tradition was brought into the modern age five years ago, when West Country rock band Muse used the church organ for songs on their second album. The church is wheelchair accessible, offers Fairtrade drinks and snacks after services, and runs a twice weekly baby and toddler group.