The Church of St Mary the Virgin is the oldest religious foundation in the City of Nottingham, England, and is also the largest church after the Roman Catholic Cathedral. It is situated at the heart of the historic Lace Market district and is also known as St Mary's in the Lace Market. It is a Grade I listed building and a member of the Greater Churches Group.

History
 
The high altar
The church is mentioned in the Domesday Book and is believed to go back deep into Saxon times. The main body of the present building (at least the third on the site) dates from the end of the reign of Edward III (1377) to that of Henry VII (1485-1509). The nave was finished before 1475 and it is notable for its uniformity of style. It is likely that the south aisle wall was the first part of the building to be constructed in the early 1380s, with the remainder of the nave and transepts being from the early 1400s. The tower was completed in the reign of Henry VIII.

The church has a fine collection of late Victorian stained glass windows by many famous makers, including Kempe, Burlison & Grylls and Hardman & Co. It is also known for its mediæval font with a palindromic Greek inscription, and rather battered alabaster tomb fragments, one of which portrays a lily crucifix and another Archbishop Thomas Becket. 
 
The Church today
 
Interior view looking west from the sanctuary
Interior view looking north east from the south porchSt Mary's has a wide ministry to many different groups. As well as its civic status it is also the University Church for the University of Nottingham and several schools and organisations hold annual services here. In recent years, in addition to its function as a place of worship, St Mary's is the venue for a wide range of concerts and public performances.

Music
 
Interior view looking south east from the north aisleSt Mary's has a choir of some standing. Under the leadership of John Keys, the Choir of St Mary’s is regarded as one of the county’s finest. There are three choral services a week – Wednesday Evensong, Sunday Eucharist and Sunday Evensong. Renowned for its versatility and wide repertoire it performs music from plainsong through to world premieres, performs regularly in concert on its own and with St Mary’s resident orchestra, The Orchestra of the Restoration.

Forthcoming Concerts

Saturday 3 March 7.30pm

Stainer Crucifixion

Parry Songs of Farewell

Finzi Lo, the Full Final Sacrifice

Performed by TheNottingham Consort. Organist, John Keys

Tickets on the door £8 (£5 conc) and £2 student standby.

Saturday 31 March 7.30pm

Verdi Requiem

Soloists: Elizabeth Franklin Kitchen (sop), Madeleine Shaw (mezzo), Paul Hopwood (tenor), Nigel Cliffe (baritone).

Augmented choirs of St Mary’s and the Orchestra of the Restoration directed by John Keys.

Tickets in advance from Nottingham Playhouse Box Office tel. 0115 941 9419 £12 (£10), £8 (£6), £5, £2 student standby on the door.