The church has suffered from the weather over the years and there have been various appeals for funding to repair the fabric of the building including one £25,000 in the 1950s and a more recent one for £135,000, in particular to repair the tower's stonework after two pinnacles fell through the roof.
The side chapel which had been created in Corfield’s day in remembrance of Archdeacon Askwith (vicar of St Mary’s (1887-1911)) was dedicated to St Andrew. It was finally glazed in 2003 giving both quietness from the busyness of the church’s coffee and book shops, and also enabling the names of departed loved ones to be etched on the glass.
From the parish of St Mary’s has been carved Holy Trinity church (1840s) and All Saints church, Halcon (1940s). The remaining parish consists of about 5,000 souls residing between the church and the motorway to the south. However, the burden of its mission lies within the town centre where it offers an open door together with a coffee and book shop.
The church has, since its mediaeval days, usually enjoyed a moderate evangelical and low church spirituality, though more recently is has had a more Catholic influence. Nevertheless she continues to proclaim the gospel of our Lord and seeks to create fellowship and to promote witness.
