The Church of St. Mary the Virgin is a small wooden Gothic Revival church located prominently at 373 New Maryland Highway in the Village of New Maryland.
The Provincial Historic Site, Church of St. Mary the Virgin, is distinguished due to its association with the Neo-Gothic architectural approach of Anglican priest-architect Rev. Edward S. Medley and his father, Bishop John Medley. This location showcases their collaboration in crafting a small, mid-Victorian, wooden church, an interpretation of more formal stone structures in England that have roots in the Middle Ages. Rev. Edward S. Medley designed this church in 1863, and it was completed the next year and consecrated by Bishop John Medley. This church is a remarkable instance of over 100 Neo-Gothic churches built in New Brunswick during John Medley’s 47-year episcopate from 1845 to 1892.
The church is also significant for its refined architectural elements, reflecting a true embodiment of the Gothic Revival in rural church construction. It ranks among the best Medley-influenced, Neo-Gothic, wooden churches in New Brunswick. It provides an intriguing depiction of High Victorian architectural principles, brought from England and tailored to the rural landscape of New Brunswick. Its porch-nave-chancel setup offers a creative amalgamation of architectural styles, a unique characteristic among New Brunswick churches.
The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, influenced by grander Gothic-style churches, displays an emphatic focus on exterior vertical lines that extend upwards along the building walls, culminating in a remarkable bell turret. This verticality is further emphasized by the board-and-batten exterior construction, with the classic pointed arch design frequently appearing over windows, doorways, and gables..
Encircled by tombstones in a churchyard, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin has remained at the heart of the rural community for over a century.
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