Rev James O’Neill was vicar of St Mary’s from 1862 until he died in late 1895. The beauty of the church as we know it today was a result of his energetic leadership of a major overhaul of the church building, literally stripping it of centuries of accumulated stuff and starting again. His mark on the church and indeed town affairs was significant but not without controversy for his very bullish and bullying manner - it is commonly told that he rode around town brandishing a whip that he was known to use on people.

Join us on Wednesday 17th September to learn more of him and reflect on his accomplishments in the midst of the building that is a memorial to his work.