The Itchen Valley MP met with Colin Shearer from the CCT, alongside CCT members Debbie and Ian, with local volunteer John Harvey, and learnt more about how the church operates day-to-day.
The CCT has saved over 340 buildings which attract almost 2 million visitors a year, and their unique collection of English parish churches includes irreplaceable examples of architecture, archaeology and art from 1000 years of history. They were established by the 1969 Pastoral Measure: Ecclesiastical, Church of England law which is also approved by Parliament.
Speaking shortly after the visit, Steve said: "I have driven past St Mary's in Itchen Stoke countless times and never looked in. What a treat I saved up because it's a real gem.
"As a regular church goer I always think it's terribly sad to see a church not used for regular worship but there are often unavoidable reasons and the work the CCT do to keep them open to visitors is just heroic.
"Thank you to Colin, Debbie and Ian for coming all the way over from Windsor to show me around but also to John Harvey who lives locally and sees the church is opened up every morning, and safely locked every night. He really is doing God's work and we're all hugely grateful."
Pictured; Steve and Popcorn join the CCT team at St Mary's church
More information ...
The Churches Conservation Trust