Visiting our Amazing Building
As the area around St Mary's Church prepares for major development around a stadium for Luton Town FC, come take a look at our amazing building that has stood at the heart of Luton for 900 years!.
Do come see our amazing building. Join us to take time to wander alone and at your leisure or on one of our hour long guided tours or around the church.
Regular Church Open Times
Church Open during services. Sundays: Regular services at 9.00 and 10.30.
Church Open. Wednesdays 10.00 - 14.00 with short reflective service at 11.00-11.15
September Extended Open Times
We have just completed our extended opening times for September. There will be more open days in 2025.
About St Mary’s
The original stone church building was begun in 1121 by Robert, Earl of Gloucester and consecrated in 1137. It was enlarged and changed over the following centuries so that a large part of the present church building mainly dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries.
The church is Luton's only Grade 1 listed building, is regarded as one of the finer medieval churches in England, and has been described as Luton's Medieval Jewel. Simon Jenkins notes the church and its surrounding churchyard easily belies the grim surroundings (though things have and are changing) and speaks of the inside as "big white and elegant, a challenge to its surroundings." He goes on to say "the two richest periods of English architecture, the 15th and 19th, are in glorious harmony."
The building is very well maintained thanks to major fund raising work of the “Friends of Luton Parish Church” who over the past 50 years have funded major projects as well as ongoing restoration of the stonework and other fabric. In 2019 its Victorian heating system was completely replaced; although this is mostly invisible it will will ensure the fabric is well maintained into the future, as well as allowing people to enjoy the building. As St Mary's celebrates 900 years of the church we will be considering what work will equip it for the next 100 years.
Find out more about our building
Access
Main church accessible, but Chancel and Wenlock Chapel not available to chairs. Disabled access to toilets via outside.