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ST MARY the VIRGIN, HOUGHTON-on-the-Hill |
Originally a parish church, the parish it served began to run down in the early 1700’s when the farmer switched from arable crops to sheep. The final destruction came in the early 1900’s when it became part of a sporting estate and the people moved out to South Pickenham. All that remains now are the Home Farm and church. Part of North Pickenham since 1725, it was allowed to fall into ruin until 1992 when restoration began. North Pickenham PCC objected to this, so a Pastoral Order was raised transferring it to South Pickenham as a Chapel of Ease.
All the fabric work is now completed apart from the nave interior which has three layers of wall painting. The earliest layer is 10th century and of international importance. The building is Grade 1 listed.
Open daily, it is much used for prayer meetings and private prayer as well as services held by local churches and some not so local. This year, for instance, we have had congregations from Leeds in Yorkshire and Kilmarnock in Scotland. It is also a church for the local Scouts, the English 1662 Prayer Book Society and the English Companions.
For some years a registered charity, it is our desire to increase its religious use together with the Mother Church of All Saints
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