[1] The site of St Mary's has been the centre of worship for people in the area for over 1,000 years, and a church was built in about 930 AD by King Athelstan as an act of thanksgiving for victory over the Danes.

This was a time of great extension to the church, with a tower being built, transepts being extended, with twin arches opening into the new chapels on their east side.

A vaulted sacristy with an upper room was built north of the chancel and a new font was given a unique canopy of richly carved stone in an octagonal shape.

A lot of restoration and rebuilding work was carried out in this time, with Someries chapel being extended, the sacristy being re-built further east and the west tower made taller and having most of the windows renewed.

In the 1960s, offices, halls and vestries were built in the chequered style to provide more space and the Magnificat Window in the south transept was installed in 1979.

The church has also installed projection screens, moved the pulpit to its former position and completely replaced the Victorian heating system in 2019.

[5] It has been known for its youth work in the town and its pioneering peace and reconciliation ministry The area next to St Mary's Church (Power Court) has been due to be renovated for years.