The Parish of St Mary’s, Sporle

Sporle forms a joint benefice to Swaffham. The church is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin and we hold a Eucharist Service for 3 in every 4 Sundays of the month. We welcome people of all Christian denominations to worship with us.

The church has close ties to the local Sporle Church of England Primary Academy, the School coming to St Mary’s to mark the major church festivals as well as attending at the end of each term.

In addition, the Church forms a central hub for a number of village events throughout the year. Details of upcoming events will be posted on the website and all are very welcome to attend whether resident in the village or not.

Sadly, our church does not remain open. However, a key is available for you to visit at reasonable times:

Keyholders:
Mr Rattan – Sporle Village Shop
Gino Corsini – The Old Forge, 39, The Street 01760 722503
Gwyneth Campbell – Cruachan, School Lane, Lt. Dunham 01760 725068
June Palmer – 18 Priory Close 01760 721841

A brief history of St Mary’s Church & St Catherine’s Mural

The sister parish to Swaffham, St Mary’s Church is of Saxon origin and pre-dates an earlier priory which was situated in the lost medieval village of Great Palgrave. In fact Sporle with Palgrave is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1068.

St Mary’s Church has a famous reminder of the original priory – the mural of St Catherine of Alexandria – one of the eight medieval paintings of this Saint in England (other medieval murals include those in Canterbury Cathedral and Eton College).  The Sporle mural is dated to the 1300s and was rediscovered in 1886, the wall having been whitewashed for centuries actually helping to preserve this work of art.

Following the dissolution of the monastery, the living from Sporle was given to Eton, College, Windsor. Until the 1960s, the college was responsible for appointing clergy to Sporle, and to this day are responsible for the upkeep of the chancel. Horatio Nelson’s father and grandfather were both vicars of Sporle and tombstones of his grandfather and two of his aunts are in the chancel.

Contact Details for St Mary’s Church, Sporle

Parish Priest: Canon Rev’d Nigel Tuffnell
Churchwardens: Mrs June Palmer & Mrs Pippa Weir
Treasurer: Mr Gino Corsini
Safeguarding Officer: Mrs Denise Corsini

Emails to: sporlepccfinance@gmail.com

Address: The Street, Sporle, PE32 2DT
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Regular services: St Mary, Sporle

  • 1st, 2nd & 4th Sundays at 11.00am: Eucharist with hymns
  • 3rd & 5th Sundays: 9.30am, United service at Swaffham

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