The FOSM (Friends of St.Mary's) is the independent Charity set up to raise funds to maintain the fabric of the building and it's contents; and so ensure this much loved local landmark and centre of our Village life can be kept in good order for future generations.
Residents who have recently moved to Lower Sunbury may not be aware that the Parish Church was built on the site of a medieval church building in 1752 to designs by Stephen Wright who at the time was Clerk of the Works at Hampton Court Palace. The interior was re-modelled by the Victorians between 1857 and 1895, substantial restoration & repairs were carried out in the 1970's and the Tower was restored and secured for future generations in the early 2000's.
The Church contains 17th & 18th Century baroque wall memorials salvaged from the original building, Arts & Crafts movement stained glass windows, High Victorian decor designed by Samuel Teulon and Scraffito decoration from the 1890's; the dawning years of the Art Nouveau movement.
The Friends organise talks, music, concerts and plays and during the last 14 years have raised over £100,000 helping to pay for repairs to the tower, roof, bells and drains etc. During 2012 FOSM have helped with a donation of £28,000 towards a replacement nave roof.
The friends are now looking ahead to the Heritage Day this September 10th which will include a display from the Sunbury & Shepperton Local History Society – a society which never fails to entertain and inform with it’s in depth historical knowledge of the local area - plus a tour of the bells and a chance to 'have a go'! Please join us and support us in our work.
