St Mary’s Church

The Church, dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin, was greatly restored in 1969 and is probably well over a thousand years in origin.

Click on this link for a road view of the Church on Google maps.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=church&sll=51.941004,-2.337231&sspn=0.001513,0.002771&ie=UTF8&split=1&rq=1&ev=zi&radius=0.06&hq=church&hnear=&ll=51.941246,-2.336936&spn=0,359.997229&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=51.941308,-2.337059&panoid=yZfOr8UVQHVkEvcBsP8awA&cbp=12,212.55,,0,14.76

The Saxons

There was a Saxon East Window where the present Chancel Arch stands. At some time or other there was a little priest’s room attached to the East end of the Church, perhaps in Norman or medieval days, and traces of its foundations were noted in the underpinning operation connected with the 1969 restoration.

THE NORMANS

NORMAN BUILDING:

 

The Nave is of Norman origin, and the later restorers preserved four Norman window shapes and the original Norman masonry.

NORMAN DOORWAY

Built within about 50 or 60 years of the coming of William the Conqueror. Note the caned figures, the typical Norman design and motifs, and the well-preserved detail. Look for a piece of “mason’s licence” oddity in the top right mouldings.

Norman string course:
A line of ornamentation running along the wall and bending to clear the doorway. Also on South side.

Norman Windows:
The Nave is of Norman origin, and the later restorers preserved four Norman window shapes and the original Norman masonry. In particular, the 12th century North doorway is a fine example of the craftsmanship of that period.

Roof-trusses:
16th century. Bracketed King-post construction. Inserted when original Norman roof replaced and probably raised.

Walls:
Apparently always free from wall monuments thus giving the clean uncluttered lines.

TOWER

 

The 16th century Tudot Tower is probably unique in that the wooden uprights rise from the foundations.

The Tudor designer set the uprights close together to give an enhanced impression of height.

INTERIOR

Naturally-curved bracing timbers c.1500 cross at the ceiling and continue on up beyond like gigantic “X”s.

The timbers are well shaped and smoothed by the craftmen’s adzes whose marks are clearly visible

The tower has been cleverly designed to be intergral with the Church & gives the appearance of one large Nave.

LOCATION

The church of St Mary the Virgin is situated 1 mile from the centre of Upleadon village and is well worth a visit. A booklet is available inside the church and the money raised will go to the Church Restoration Fund.

Within the church is a tapestry produced by the villagers to commemorate the millennium