The Church stands three quarters of a mile from the main village centre and is set in peaceful rural surroundings with fine old horse-chestnut trees growing in the churchyard.
Its origins go back to the 12th century when it is believed to have been a wooden building but evidence has been uncovered pointing to the existence of a small monastery on the site, pre-dating the church. Like most old churches it has been altered or added to over the centuries but the pointed arch doors and windows date the present structure to the Early Gothic period.
Inside there is a fine rood screen, separating the nave from the chancel. At the foot of the tower are iron gates with brass bosses. There are some alabaster figures dating from the 13th century that were disfigured during the Cromwell purges. In the south aisle are brasses of Henry English and his wife dated 1393. He is represented in plate armour, mail gorget and pointed helmet, with a lion at his feet.

VICARS OF WOOD DITTON FROM 1577 1577 William Ridgewell M.A.; 1618 Robert Levitt M.A.; 1661 John Bridge M.A.; 1661 John Sheppard M.A.; 1714 John Dighton D.D.; 1752 Thomas Barnard D.D.; 1782 - 1806 Henry Turner M.A.; 1806 - 1834 James Barker B.A.; 1834 - 1847 Plumpton Wilson L.L.B.; 1847 - 1882 Josiah Walker L.L.B.; 1882 - 1897 Joseph Wiggins Kyte; 1897 - 1913 Hugh Guy M.A.; 1913 - 1922 Arnold Douglas Taylor M.A.; 1922 - 1925 John Henry Crick M.A.; 1925 -1937 Stanley Austin M.A.; 1937 - 1941 Ambrose Maryon Watson M.A.; 1941 - 1966 Robert Arthur Geoffrey Binns; 1966 -1975 Claud Edward Flood; 1975 - 1987 Arthur Vivian Davis; 1987 - 1996 Alan Fellows Homer; 1996 - 2007 Christine Ann Sindall.

Below: St. Mary's Church in spring, summer, autumn and winter
The pictures may take a minute to appear, so please be patient

THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

The church has seven fine stained glass windows, one in each of the west and east end walls, two in the south aisle, two in the south wall of the chancel and one in the north wall of the chancel.
Select (click on) small image below for larger picture and description of each window.

Left to right: The west window, the first window in the south aisle, the second window in the south aisle, the first window in the south wall of the chancel, the second window in the south wall of the chancel, the east window, the window in the north wall of the chancel.

The organ. The single manual church organ has been maintained in good condition. It was described by a visiting organist as "a lovely little organ."

The Dripping Pan Headstone and The Turnspit's Epitaph
In the churchyard the locally famous 'Dripping Pan Headstone' stands to the memory of William Simonds who died on March I, 1753 aged 80 years. The rusted remains of the pan are embedded behind the iron grill seen near the top of the stone. Research has revealed that he was Turnspit to the Duke of Rutland at Cheveley Park which explains how he was able to obtain dripping, a luxury food not available to the ordinary villagers. He was described in 1896 Cheveley Park records as "an eccentric 'lad' who for many years had filled the important office of turnspit at Cheveley Park".
The original stone was accidentally broken on the occasion of a wedding party at Woodditton Church about 1871. Soon after it was removed and the present stone substituted in which the original dripping pan was placed; and it was re-erected at the expense of Miss Catherine Dobito, of Woodditton and executed by Richard Arber, Newmarket.
The stone bears the following inscription:

            Here lies my corpse who was the man
            That lov'd a sop in dripping pan
            But now believe me I am dead
            Now here the pan stands at my head
            Still for sop to the last I cry'd
            But could not eat and so I died
            My neighbours they perhaps may laugh
            Now they do read my epitaph

THE BELLS
There are five bells in the tall octagonal tower, regularly rung by a small but enthusiastic group of bell-ringers - usual practice Tuesday evenings. If you are running Windows 98 or later you should be able to hear the bells with your sound turned on. For a brief history of the bells, pictures and sound. select here
Please note: If you are not on broadband it may take a minute or so for the sound file to load so please be patient. While waiting you can read about the bells.

The church comes within the Ely diocese. The minister (from July 9th 2008) will be the Revd. Margaret (Ann) Gurner, The Rectory Cheveley, who is also responsible for the parishes of Ashley, Cheveley and Kirtling. The church magazine 'The Link' also covers the four parishes and is published monthly.
For information on services go to the 'Events' page.

The Wood Ditton parish War Memorial for the two World Wars
as at Remembrance Day, November 2002
(For a full list and details of all those who appear on the Roll of Honour select here)

SAXON STREET METHODIST CHURCH

Saxon Street no longer has an Anglican church and the building is now a private house, which still retains the old church bell. Saxon Street Methodist Church has regular services (see 'Events' page) and is also used for public meetings. (For bookings contact Les Jaggard 01638 730396)

Notes on St Mary's Church history and architecture, from 'Cambridgeshire Churches' by Ben Colburn and Mark Ynys-Mon
Events
Comments and Discussion
Wood Ditton today
Village history
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