St Mary's, Longfleet (SML or SML Poole) is a Church of England parish church in Longfleet, a district of Poole, in the ceremonial county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. It is part of the New Wine network and describes itself as an evangelical charismatic church.

Location St Mary's is located on the south side of Longfleet Road, just above Poole Hospital.SML – How to find us at www.smlpoole.org.uk. Accessed on 24 September 2012. It has a prominent spire that may be seen for miles around.

History St. Mary's is a Gothic Revival church that was built in the years 1830–33 and consecrated on 25 September 1833.Longfleet Connections at freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Accessed on 24 September 2012. It built chiefly at the expense of Lord de MauleyWilson, John Marius. Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales 1870-72, at Vision of Britain. Retrieved 4 Nov 2016. and was originally designed by Edward Blore, but has been considerably modified since. In 1863, a chancel and organ chamber were added by G. E. Street and the year 1884 saw the western end enhanced by a spire, high, erected by G. R. Crickmay and Son. The spire was donated by William Pearce JP, a 19th-century Mayor of Poole, who resided at nearby Springfield House.Springfield, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset at www.flickr.com. Accessed on 11 September 2012. There was further remodelling in 1915 which saw the nave rebuilt with aisles and transepts by Herbert Kendell of Poole. According to English Heritage, "in spite of a surprisingly complicated development, the church is an effective composition, whose major accent, the northwest tower and spire, is one of Poole's most important landmarks."

In 1995 the church was assessed as a Grade II listed building.

Longfleet parish was formed in 1837 from Great Canford. Its boundaries changed in 1946 when part of Longfleet became the new parish of Oakdale St George.Longfleet Parish at The National Archives. Accessed on 11 September 2012. The living was, and still is, a vicarage in the Diocese of Salisbury. Its patron in the 1870s was Sir J. B. Guest, Bart., who owned Canford Manor, now Canford School.

Today St. Mary's describes itself as a "vibrant evangelical charismatic Church" and "a large multi-generational church with an informal atmosphere."St Mary's Longfleet Church at www.fusion.uk.com. Accessed on 24 September 2012. The church is part of the New Wine NetworkSt. Mary's Longfleet, Poole at www.smlpoole.org.uk. Accessed on 11 September 2012. and, has a congregation of around 700, which is the largest in the Diocese of Salisbury.

The church continues to serve the local community and has several Sunday School classes as well as ministries for men, women, youth, pastoral care, outreach and worship.Groups at www.smlpoole.org.uk. Accessed on 24 September 2012.Ministries at www.smlpoole.org.uk. Accessed on 24 September 2012. It is very active and works with local authorities, e.g. through Faithworks Wessex, running projects like MON£Y MATT£RS, a money management and debt advice service,MON£Y MATT£RS project: Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch at www.stewardship.org.uk. Accessed on 24 September 2012. and Befrienders, linking up with people who are in need of companionship.Befrienders at www.smlpoole.org.uk. Accessed on 24 September 2012. The church also has close links with Longfleet Church of England Primary School, which was formerly opposite on Longfleet Road.Longfleet Church of England VC Combined School at www.longfleet.poole.sch.uk. Accessed on 11 September 2012.

The present incumbent, Rev. Andrew Perry, became the vicar of St. Mary's in 1995 and has overseen the church as its community has grown from 80 to around 800. He was installed as a canon of Salisbury Cathedral on 3 July 2012.Four new canons for cathedral at www.salisburyjournal.co.uk. Accessed on 11 September 2012.

Church centre In August 2011, St Mary's was granted planning permission to redevelop its church centreSML Church Centre Building Project at www.smlpoole.org.uk. Accessed on 20 July 2013 as a facility for the church and local community. The church centre is in Kingston Road, but faces the church itself across Longfleet Road. Work commenced in May 2013 and a pelican crossing over Longfleet Road was installed.Church Centre Update at www.smlpoole.org.uk. Accessed on 20 July 2013

The new church centre was completed in May 2014 and officially opened on 23 September 2014 at a celebration attended by the Bishop of Salisbury, Nicholas Holtam. It is used regularly by Poole Hospital and local health charities.

Church graft In April 2018, SML sent a new vicar, Rev. Tessa Nisbet, and around 20 church members to lead a 'church graft' at St Michael's Church, Hamworthy, and St Gabriel's Church, Turlin Moor, in order to bring a new lease of life to the local community and turn around declining congregations.Church graft in Hamworthy bids to improve declining congregation at www.bournemouthecho.co.uk. Retrieved 2 Jul 2018.

Gallery

See also

Longfleet List of ecclesiastical works by Edward Blore List of church restorations and alterations by G. E. Street

References

External links St Mary's Church: Official Site.