Friends of St Mary's Church

Charity No 1051322

............................................

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.

Since our first Annual Lunch in 1998 we have been fortunate to have eminent speakers as Principal Guests starting with our first Patron, Bishop J Ivor Rees in 1998, followed by his successors, in 2000 Bishop D Huw Jones; Bishop Carl Cooper in 2003 and most recently in 2010 Bishop J Wyn Evans, well remembered as Dean of St David's Cathedral.

In January 2011 we produced from an earlier video, a dvd of a former 'friend' and chorister of St Mary's, William Daniel Richards, recalling his early years in the town and his time as a member of St Mary's choir. In 2003 he presented to the Town Museum an inscribed watch presented to his father PC William Richards in 1910 for arresting two burglars. It runs for 1.5hrs. Copies are available from John Warren (01437 764494, or email dreenhill@hotmail.com) @£12+£1.40p&p

A new Guide to St Mary's Church was published by The Friends in 2009. 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, 78 Kensington Gardens, Haverfordwest, SA61 2SF. Please enclose a cheque for £3.50 (includes postage and packing) made to The Friends of St Mary's.

Other projects funded by the Friends can be seen on our 'Aims' page. For our Annual Lunch 2011 see 'Events'.

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