Great Malvern Priory

An ancient carved head and shoulders similar to the Lustymore Island figure on Boa Island, County Fermanagh, was excavated from the grounds of the Priory. It is now housed in St Anne's Chapel. A celt (a prehistoric axe-like tool) was also excavated during the 18th Century. ]] Little is known about Malvern over the next thousand years until it is described as "... an hermitage, or some kind of religious house, for seculars, before the conquest, endowed by the gift of Edward the Confessor". Several slightly different histories explain the actual founding of the religious community. Legend tells that the settlement began following the murder of St. Werstan, a monk of Deerhurst, who fled from…

The present building dates from 1085, with mainly 15th-century structure, floor, and wall tiles. Extensions to the original Norman architecture church began around 1440 in the Perpendicular style and work continued until 1502. The great square central tower is very similar to that of the nearby Gloucester Cathedral; it was built by the same masons. It was redesigned in Perpendicular style by Sir Reginald Bray and has a very plain interior. The chancel is also Perpendicular in style, and contains the monument of John Knotsford (died 1589), a participant in the dissolution of the former monastic foundation. It is largely thanks to his patronage that the church, and particularly its medieval…

The church has around 314 on the parochial council electoral roll. Services are a mixture of traditional elements with some modern elements. The choir is well established. There are several active groups for children and young people. The church sponsors several "Mission Partners". The current incumbent is The Revd Dr Roger Latham, who is the Vicar of Malvern. A past incumbent was the Christian writer Anthony C. Deane. The building was given Grade I listed status, protecting it from unauthorised modifications or demolition.