Thoughts on our Community Heritage

It’s the very first thing, and the very last thing, that we do. To breathe is to be alive. We do it millions of times a year without even realising. Our language is full of idioms on this theme:
Catch your breath
Bated breath
Breathe a sigh of relief
Take a breath
Breathing space
Out of breath
A breath of fresh air


At St Mary’s Church, Calne, we have another hugely significant link with the theme of breathing, in that the most notable person buried in the church is Jan Ingenhousz, the Dutch-British scientist, who discovered photosynthesis in 1779 while living in Calne.


We look forward to marking the 250th anniversary of this discovery in 2029. Ingenhousz’ s discovery came on the back of the discovery of oxygen by Joseph Priestley in 1774, also in Calne. 


Photosynthesis, we could say, is the means by which planet Earth itself breathes. The oxygen on which humans and all animals depend comes from trees and other plants, as a result of photosynthesis. Scientific research over recent decades has highlighted just how connected life on earth of all sorts is, and has reminded us of the imperative to safeguard our environment.


At St Mary’s Church we believe this theme ‘…and breathe’ represents a very helpful way for us to connect more fruitfully with the community we serve.

Beyond the ordinary

The appointment of a Community Engagement Officer will enable us to highlight the extraordinary amount of history and heritage within the church and churchyard. It’s the only grade 1 listed building in Calne, and has many fascinating aspects for people to explore.
Highlighting our history and the importance of Jan Ingenhousz to whom there is a memorial tablet in the church, alongside other characters like St Edmund of Abingdon, former vicar of this church in 1221, who went on to be not only Archbishop of Canterbury, but the last Archbishop of Canterbury to be made a saint. We have a side-chapel named after him.
Part of our bid includes the creation of interpretation boards to explain the significant things in the church to visitors. This will include organised groups, but since the church is now unlocked during the day every day, there is enormous scope to include activities for children and families. This will allow us to provide an important social function in our town, as a place where, free of charge, families can have an interesting thing to do together, with the advantage of it being out of the weather (be it hot, cold, or rainy).

Breathing Space for the community

St Mary’s Church is very centrally located in Calne, and is already quite well connected with schools and other community groups. The installation of toilets and kitchen facilities, and a new step-less access, together with the creation of some more flexible open spaces in the church, will make hosting more community groups much easier.

A breath of fresh air

Environmental awareness is high on our priority list for the congregation at St Mary’s, and something the church is keen to share more widely. Highlighting the significance of Jan Ingenhousz is a natural springboard for emphasising the wellbeing of our planet, and gently challenging ourselves and our visitors as to how we all can play our part in safeguarding the environment. Our improvement scheme includes the installation of solar panels and associated batteries to reduce the carbon footprint of the church.

Take a breath / Catch your breath / just breathe

A quiet place – In 2025 the Church Council at St Mary’s made the decision to leave the church unlocked every day of the year, during the day. Already many people in the
town appreciate this, and come into church for some peace, or to light a candle to remember a loved one. We intend to make more of this. Life for many people is fast-paced and relentless, and to provide a space every day, free to enter, where people can simply sit and breath is something we believe many more people would value.

Ancient church chest embedded in a huge tree trunk dating from early 1600's