The Beacon Benefice

Painswick St Marys

Painswick St Mary’s lies in the centre of the Benefice and is the largest church and parish. Painswick is in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds and has a population of about 2000 people. The village is known as the ‘Queen of the Cotswolds  and is one of England’s oldest ‘Wool Towns’, the wealth from wool production and weaving in the area gave the town many fine buildings, particularly St. Mary’s Church. 

Approaching Painswick from any direction, the tall spire of St. Mary’s Church stands out, with its weathercock standing some 639 feet above sea level.  Our church is open all day, and many visitors come to enjoy the peace of our church building and churchyard. Painswick Church is also famous for its Yew Trees, many of which date back to the 18th century.