Church of St Mary de Lode, Gloucester

The Church of St Mary de Lode in Gloucester has also been known as St. Mary De Port and St. Mary-Before-the Gate-of-St. Peter, which all seems rather complicated, but also evidence of its great age. Although the tower is Norman, it has been claimed that this is the earliest Christian church site in Britain. Archaeology confirms the presence of Roman buildings beneath and it might well have been a place where Christian Britons in the later years of Rome’s occupation gathered for worship.

As churches close, with Western culture succumbing to the emptiness of secularism, the void is being filled by weird cults and arid Islam. The number of genuine, gospel-sharing churches is small and the dark shape of persecution vaguely forms on the horizon. Just as the original worshippers at the site of St Mary de Lode must have felt vulnerable by the prospect of pagan invasions and civilisational decline, so we face similar possibilites. The church might be weak and the gospel might be whispered, but the great God of heaven whose people we are will give us the strength to endure and the vindication of His judgement.

"Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life."

But what saith the answer of God unto him? "I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal."

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Romans 11:3-5

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