Cheltenham Minster

St Mary's Parish Church, like many older and larger churches in towns which consider themselves important, is now pleased to call itself Cheltenham Minster. Leeds and Hull pursued a similar policy for their main churches, as though, denied cathedral status, they still sought some grander title than mere ‘parish church’. A true minster, like York’s, is a Saxon ‘mother church’ which planted daughter churches in the surrounding districts. The name was not some honour to be bestowed on the most deserving.

I had walked into a midday communion service which I then joined. Although I declined the bread and wine, not being confirmed into the Church of England, I followed along with the service. Contrary to my expectations, the church closed immediately after the service concluded, so I hastily took my photographs and then my leave.

St Mary’s is the oldest building in this largely Georgian town; plans in the 1860s would have it demolished but they thought better of it, and it was saved, thankfully. It was from its pulpit that Francis Close (ministering from 1826-1856) railed against the Oxford Movement and godless and frivolous entertainments in Cheltenham before moving north to Carlisle as cathedral Dean. King George III also worshipped here on several occasions while his presence at the town’s spa lent the place the fame and prosperity it still enjoys.

St Mary’s is an old church and one which was nearly knocked down, yet from its walls reverberated the true gospel for decades, while previously echoing the praises of an earthly king for His greater, heavenly Emperor. In our society which worships youth and celebrates that which is novel and fresh, we look down on the old, the wrinkled, the slow and the doddering. Yet, often, these are the people who know the Saviour of the world, the very Author of Life. Wicked governments and evil ministers would euthanise the frail, but the grey heads and sagging shoulders often have more life and vitality than some doped-up teen, drunken lout or local authority bureaucrat.  

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. Proverbs 16:31

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