St Mary’s Church is set in a peaceful rural location in a small village (circa 500 population) situated in the north west of Herefordshire. This grade 1 listed church is mainly 13th and 14th century with later alterations.
Of particular note is the Tudor painted ceiling on the two eastern bays of the Nave. The Chancel, unusually, once had a priest’ chamber overhead. St Mary’s is a calm and lovely place to sit and pray, reflect, or simply watch the sun spreading its warm glow inside as it moves along towards the west.
Services are held on the first three Sundays of each month – two Holy Communion and one Morning Prayer.
The choir sings at the Communion services.
The beautifully maintained churchyard has a tranquil air with scenic distant views of the Black Mountains to the west and sheep grazing quietly nearby.
At the top end are the graves of members of the Latvian community. Nearby Nieuport House was taken over by members of this community some time after the second world war and became a home for the elderly and disabled and a community centre for younger Latvians for over four decades. It became a focal point for Latvians in Britain before being sold and returning to a private residence in 1998.
From the lower end of the churchyard a grass-grown mound, can be seen upon which the keep of a medieval castle once stood.
The motte and bailey earthworks can be found south-west of the church.
Close to the church, within the churchyard, the ancient stone village meeting point remains. It is a former churchyard cross and is a scheduled monument.
The award winning Bell Inn is nearby and a Village Hall hosting a Makers’ Market on the third Saturday of
each month and a pop-up pub when The Bells is shut.
Location
Church Terrace
Almeley
Hereford
HR3 6LB