There has been a robed choir at St Mary’s since 1869 – over 150 years. In 2022 we have a choir of about 20. We are always learning something new, as well as performing old favourites. Our choice of music spans the centuries, from Bach, Tallis and Handel right up to John Rutter and Howard Goodall. We sing at the 10.00 am Eucharist service every week and we vary the Eucharist settings weekly as well as adding an introit, a psalm and a motet.

At the major church festivals the choir plays a big part in enhancing the worship. Christmas, Easter and Harvest are great opportunities for us to sing traditional music and to surprise the congregation with something new.

We are always delighted to welcome new members. Our rehearsals are usually from 5.00 pm to 6.30 pm on Thursdays. If you would like to try singing with us then just come along to one of these rehearsals, or telephone Mark (07476 095185), Judy (01834 843316) or John (01834 843842).

St Mary’s Soupermen is a group of like-minded men who enjoy a unique camaraderie resulting in many successful events put on for the Church community and beyond. These include several “feasts” such as Harvest Suppers and |Christmas meals. Indeed over the covid period Christa meals were delivered to various household. Other events such as film evenings and religious events have proven very popular. We are in our 13th year and, God willing, will continue to serve the community for a few years yet. If any man wishes to join this band of “marry” men please contact Terry Evans (07796 084003) – you will be very welcome.

We have 8 change ringing bells here in St Mary's, Tenby, which you can hear being rung usually before services and in celebration of church festivals, royal occasions and weddings. The 8 ‘change ringing’ bells of which 4 were cast in 1789, 3 in 1888 and 1 in 1951. They hang in a tower which is over 800 years old and stands 152 ft tall to the top of the spire Change ringing requires both physical and mental ability. It takes most ringers several years to become sufficiently skilled to ring our bells.

Each bell is given a number, from 1–8, and is rung by a single ringer. A ‘change’ is a sequence of these numbers where each bell rings once. The order or sequence is changed and each bell rings again. St Mary's bells are in the key of F sharp. The smallest 'treble' bell weighs just over four hundredweight, while the largest 'tenor' bell weighs twelve and a half hundred weight.

St Mary’s Handbell group was established over 20 years ago by the late Mr Alec Freeman together with Dr John Harrison who has been our guide and Musical Director from the start. We have around 12 – 15 members in the group who meet in Church House on Wednesday evenings between 7.15 – 9.00pm.

We take part in services and perform in concerts in churches around the local area, as well as charitable concerts in other venues locally to support other organisations. In the summer we entertain visitors in Tudor Square and in the winter, we are busy celebrating Christmas in churches, nursing homes and local hotels who host turkey and tinsel weekends. Our own chosen charity is Ty Hafan and so each year there is usually at least one concert and a coffee morning in support of this worthy cause.

We are always looking for new members. Some musical knowledge (however rusty!) is helpful, but by no means essential. All the music is colour coded, to help those starting from scratch, and many of us began as complete novices.

A warm welcome will be waiting for you.

Just ring Sandy Fryer (01834 844495) or drop in to one of our rehearsals and see what we get up to.

St Mary’s Mothers’ Union meet at Church House, where friendship, faith, and fellowship flourish. Our gatherings take place on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 2pm, beginning with a hymn and a short MU service, including the cherished Mothers’ Union prayer. Each meeting features either a guest speaker or a group activity, followed by light refreshments and lively conversation—a time to reconnect and share news.

Our members are deeply committed to supporting families and the wider community. We continue to partner with Plant Dewi, contributing to their Baby Bundle project and collection box scheme.

We also actively support Pembrokeshire Foodbank and PATCH, collecting non-perishable food items and making regular financial contributions. These efforts are bolstered by the St Mary’s Deacon’s Fund, helping us extend care to those in need across the county.

Members of the Mothers’ Union are enthusiastically involved in church life—especially when it comes to baking! Whether it’s a fundraiser or a parish celebration, our homemade treats are always a highlight.

We also recognise that some of our older members are no longer able to attend meetings in person. To ensure they remain connected and valued, we arrange regular visits and check-ins, offering companionship and a continued sense of belonging to the Mothers’ Union family.

We warmly welcome new members and visitors to join us. Whether you're looking for friendship, a way to serve the community, or simply a peaceful hour of reflection and conversation, you’ll find a place among us.

“The Friends”, launched at the Memorial Flower Festival in 2011, is an organisation that aims to draw together individuals, corporate groups and parishes from across the world who wish to support and belong to the mission and ministry of St Mary’s Church.

At St Mary’s we are conscious that we have a wide and extended family far beyond our local worshipping congregation. The residents of Tenby in general have a high regard for St Mary’s as an ancient historic site of great importance, and we receive many visitors from all over Wales and the UK – indeed, from all over the world. Tenby and Pembrokeshire in general attract many visitors on an annual basis, and in particular our magnificent church building, dating back at least 800 years – the largest ancient parish church in Wales – is a focal point for many visitors who return to us year after year, and we want all these – locals and visitors alike - to feel that they belong to our church community and are a part of our mission and witness here.

Anyone can become a member of the Friends of St Mary's. Membership for individuals is £10 per year. Corporate Groups or Parishes are invited to contribute £20 per year. Life Membership for individuals is £100. All members are encouraged to use Gift Aid, with cheques payable to “The Friends of St Mary’s”.

To become a Friend is very simple. Please fill in the form below and send it, with your contribution, to the Rector.

The Priest-in-Charge at St. Mary’s Church, Rev. Steve Brett, said: “We were all saddened to learn of the death of our dear friend and church organist Dr John Harrison. I have only been here for a short while, but I had already come to appreciate John’s immense knowledge and value his friendship.”

“John was a vital part of the ministry and life of our church and will be sorely missed by us all. We pray especially for his family as they mourn his loss.”

Tears and smiles were both in evidence at the two services held in St. Mary’s on Easter Sunday this year as we gathered to give thanks for the risen Lord , and to say farewell to our Rector, Andrew Grace.

Andrew has been Rector of St. Mary’s for sixteen years, but many of us first got to know him when he first came, over 40 years ago as a curate under the then Rector Dewi Bridges. From the beginning he was approachable and friendly with a good sense of humour. He took an active role in church life and happily accepted his lot as the butt of many jokes in the Young Wives’ pantomimes, and we were sorry when he moved on to new parishes.

So, it was with much pleasure that we welcomed him back as our Rector in 2008. His ministry at St Mary’s has been an inclusive one, particularly with the inspired formation of the Soupermen group, leading to many enjoyable social occasions in Church House complete with the obligatory raffle. Only Andrew could make drawing a raffle fun ! His love of music has been evident in the many and varied concerts held in St Mary’s and his support of the Choir and Director of Music, Dr.John Harrison. But, most significant of all has been the development and nurturing of the Church family. Sixteen years of joys and sorrows for us all have been shared within this family and nowhere was this more evident when the pandemic lockdown kept us all apart. The tangible joy on those first Sundays back was felt by us all especially Andrew whose welcome was heartfelt.

These sixteen years have seen the re-opening of St. Julian’s, not merely for weddings, but for many other services, which are always well attended. St. Anne’s has gone from strength to strength. The introduction of Jeremy, our youth worker, and the growing popularity of Messy Church, hopefully, will introduce more members to our church family, and Andrew’s subtle delegation of different roles in church life should ensure continuity for the future.

Andrew’s support of our local church primary school has also played a large part in his ministry, and children, teachers and parents alike will miss his school assemblies, and his lively services in church. His quizzes are legendary, complete with a water pistol squirt for a wrong answer!

But, all good things come to an end, and so it was, that we came to say goodbye last Sunday, after an inspirational Holy Week of services, beginning with the magnificent Palm Sunday parade led by Bishop Dorian and two donkeys, taking us on to the thought provoking last hour on Good Friday. With nearly 230 in the congregation on Easter Sunday morning, we celebrated in the sunshine with glorious music and chocolate eggs. Then came the evening which many of us had been dreading, Andrew’s last service.

A great deal of care had obviously gone into the planning of it and there were many high spots, of which Andrew’s seven year old grand-daughter’s reading was certainly one. . The choir rose to the occasion magnificently and emotions see-sawed as the Hallelujah Chorus rang out in triumph, then Andrew relinquishing his vestments brought it home to all that this was the end. However, on a happier note, everyone moved over to Church House where a magnificent buffet had been prepared by Mothers’ Union, Soupermen and friends, and a glass of wine was on hand to toast the future happiness of Andrew and Alex. Churchwardens Clive and Nicole made a presentation and reflected on Andrew’s time here at St. Mary’s, remembering in particular the glorious day when the whole church family came together to celebrate his marriage to Alex. A beautiful poem written and presented by chorister Christine Kirkby followed, then presentations were also made by St Anne’s Church and by the Titterton triplets representing the youth of the church and Messy Church.

The formal part of the evening ended, aptly when Andrew’s last curate Joel was on hand to lead us all in a prayer for a long and happy retirement. The whole evening was enhanced by music from a string and piano ensemble courtesy of Mr. and Mrs Michael Carpenter, and everyone was then able to give their personal good wishes, enjoy the magnificent cake, and echo the message iced on its top: