Friends of St Mary's Church

Dominating the High Street, St Mary’s is a very significant building in the topography of the commercial centre of Haverfordwest. One of the major aims of the Friends is to encourage those who have an interest in the building from an historic, architectural or commercial aspect to work together with those whose interests are in preserving it as an important place of worship to ensure that it faces a new century in a sound structural condition to be appreciated by future generations.

The Annual General Meeting is normally held in October when members elect the Executive Committee of seven members. ‘Friends’ will receive the biannual newsletter which is published each summer and winter. An Annual Luncheon is also arranged and has proved to be a very successful occasion. Other events are arranged whenever possible.

The Principal Guest and speaker at the 2006 Annual Lunch was the Assistant Director, Historic Churches Preservation Trust, Miss Judith Leigh.

The Principal Guest and speaker at the 2007 Annual Lunch was Stephen Crabb MP, Member of Parliament for Preseli Pembrokeshire.

The Principal Guest and speaker at the 2008 Annual Lunch was Ms Jane Chamberlain of Caroe & Partners, our church architect.

Our 12th Annual Lunch held at Wolfscastle Country Hotel on 3rd May 2009 was another successful occasion, well supported and, as usual, providing an important income for our funds. This year our principal guest and speaker was Mr Simon Hancock,JP, MA, FRSA, FRHS, Curator of the Haverfordwest Town Museum, County Councillor and Chairman of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

A new Guide to St Mary's Church has been published by The Friends. The booklet consists of 60 pages with almost 80 photographs and provides a history of the church and a guide to the features which make St Mary's one of the most important parish churches in Wales.

The guide costs £2.50. Copies are available in the church, or by post from Pat Barker, 71 Waterloo Road, Hakin, Milford Haven SA73 3PD. Please enclose a cheque for £3.50 (includes postage and packing) made to The Friends of St Mary's.

In May 2009 the Friends provided a set of staging for use in St Mary's. This will be most useful for the concerts and recitals which are held in the church.

To help us achieve our aims, will YOU become a FRIEND OF ST MARY’S? Please contact the Membership Secretary:- John Warren, Dreenhill Farm, Dale Road, Haverfordwest, SA62 3XG, (dreenhill@hotmail.com) who will acknowledge your membership and from whom further information can be obtained.

This website has been created with the assistance of PAVS