St Mary the Virgin, Battle is a member of the Major Churches Network.

There are just over 300 churches in England with this designation: based on criteria chosen by the Church Buildings Council of the Church of England and Historic England.

Major Churches are:

  • Physically very big (over 1000m2 footprint)

  • Grade I, II* or (exceptionally) II listed

  • Exceptional significance and/or issues necessitating a conservation management plan

  • Have a role or roles beyond those of a typical parish church, and make a considerable civic, cultural and economic contribution to their communities

They are recognised as historically significant parish church buildings with a different scale of opportunities and challenges faced compared to the vast majority of other Church of England church buildings. Major Churches are likely to require a higher level of attention from the diocese and the Council due to their special functions, significance and potential.

More information about Major Parish Churches can be found here

Whatever brings you to our church – whether you join us in worship, private prayer or simply want to learn about the heritage – you can be sure of a warm welcome. 

Heritage

When Duke William of Normandy won the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and became King of England, he commissioned the building of an abbey on the battle site. 

William died in 1087 before it was finished, but in 1095 his son William Rufus attended the consecration of the abbey church, serving its community of Benedictine monks. Local people were allowed to worship there, but were eventually too disruptive for the monks' religious life, and the Abbot petitioned the King to build a separate church outside the Abbey walls to serve the growing town around it. 

A modest-sized building was built around 1102, serviced by the monks, but in 1115 the church was granted its own priest and Dean, and from then onwards has operated as the parish church for the people of Battle. Over the centuries it has been adapted and extended to form the magnificent Grade I listed building that we see today. 

Why not visit us and see the Crusader crosses and the grooves where they blunted their swords; the remains of medieval wall paintings, the stained glass windows that include the only one in England celebrating the Battle of Hastings – or just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and the magnificent architecture?