Church Heritage Record 616010

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Edgeworth: St Mary

Name:

This is the church’s legal name as given by the Church Commissioners.

Edgeworth: St Mary
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Church
Church code:

This is a unique identification number supplied to each church building by the Church Commissioners.

616010
Diocese:

Name of diocese in which the church building is located at the time of entry.

Gloucester
Archdeaconry:

Name of archdeaconry in which the church building is located at the time of entry

Cheltenham
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

Edgeworth

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

The decision to put a church building on the National Heritage List for England and assign it a listing grade is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is normally based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on the historic environment.

This is a Grade I Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?

The decision to schedule a feature (building, monument, archaeological remains, etc.) located within the church building’s precinct or churchyard is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on cultural heritage.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

National Parks are areas of countryside that include villages and towns, which are protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. In England, National Parks are designated by Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of such areas. Conservation Areas are designated by the Local Council.

The church is in the following Conservation Area: Edgeworth

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Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?

The Heritage at Risk programme is run and managed by Historic England, the government’s advisor on cultural heritage. It aims to protect and manage the historic environment, so that the number of ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England are reduced.

This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

Selecting a single date for the construction of a church building can sometimes be very difficult as most CoE buildings have seen many phases of development over time. The CHR allows you to record a time period rather than a specific date.

The CHR records the time period for the building’s predominant fabric as opposed to the date of the earliest fabric or the church’s foundation date.

Medieval

Exterior Image

Exterior image of 616010 St Mary, Edgeworth
Caption:

603242 

Exterior image of 616010 St Mary, Edgeworth
Description:

It seems to be the wrong photograph. Provided coordinates come up with another church on geograph.org.uk

Photograph of the exterior of St Mary, Edgeworth
Year / Date:

2011, April 06

2008, May 03
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

This image is licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic licence.
Originator:

Keltek Trust

Philip Halling (of geograph.org.uk)

Summary Description

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St Mary’s is a building of high significance, set in a large churchyard next to the old manor house. Its significance lies above all in the medieval fabric and fittings. The earliest part of the building dates from the eleventh century and was enlarged in the late twelfth century, while the square west tower was added in the later Middle Ages. The church was extensively restored in 1869-72, when the internal walls were stripped of plaster and the roofs renewed. Most of the furnishings date from the 1870s restoration or later, but some early features survive, including some rare fifteenth-century timber bench ends.

Visiting and Facilities

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The church is open for worship.
Work in progress - can you help?
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

http://erminwestbenefice.org.uk/our-churches/edgeworth/

Sources and Further Information

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Gloucestershire County Council (2017) Gloucestershire Historic Environment Record (HER) HER Number: 3883 [Digital Archive/Data]
http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/archaeology/request-archaeological-data-from-gloucestershires-historic-environment-record-her/
Chris Brown (of geograph.org.uk) (2017, March 06) Interior image of 616010 St Mary, Edgeworth [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior image of 616010 St Mary, Edgeworth
Philip Halling (of geograph.org.uk) (2008, May 03) Exterior image of 616010 St Mary, Edgeworth [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 616010 St Mary, Edgeworth
Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/14054/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 5 Bells [Archive/Index]
5 Bells

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: SO 948 059

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Administrative Area

County:

The administrative area within which the church is located.

Gloucestershire County

Location and Setting

This field describes the setting of the church building, i.e. the surroundings in which the church building is experienced, and whether or not it makes a positive or negative contribution to the significance of the building.

St Mary’s church stands within a large churchyard next to the manor house, on an elevated site some distance from the present village. The churchyard slopes to the north and contains a large number of small late seventeenth-century stone headstones and some larger, mainly eighteenth and early nineteenth-century grave markers with engraved copper memorial plates. A short distance south of the church is a churchyard cross with a fifteenth-century moulded stone base and shaft.

Church Plan

Work in progress - can you help?

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

Provide as written description of the ground plan of the church building and well as its dimensions.

Work in progress - can you help?

Dimensions

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Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

177 m2

Description of Archaeology and History

This field aims to record the archaeological potential of the wider area around the building and churchyard, as well as the history of site.

There is an aisleless nave and chancel with a south nave porch and a west tower.  The earliest part of the building is the west half of the nave, which dates from the eleventh century and was built as a small rectangular structure with north and south doors. One of the jambs of the blocked north door shows typical Saxon long and short work. The early building was enlarged to the east in the late twelfth century; the nave walls clearly show the break where the original nave was extended. At the same time a chancel was added with elaborately carved corbel tables on the north and south sides, and the south door of the nave was given an elaborate carved surround. A porch to shelter this door was added in the thirteenth century. Probably at the same time new windows were inserted at the east end of the nave and in the chancel side walls. The square west tower was added in the late fourteenth or fifteenth century. 

The church was extensively restored in 1869-72 under the supervision of the Rector, the Revd. George Shaw. As part of the restoration the internal walls were stripped of plaster and ribbon-pointed. The floor was repaved with rectangular flagstones, with raised timber pew platforms provided in the nave.

At the west end of the nave a tall pointed arch with chamfered responds opens into the base of the tower. The chancel arch is of similar form but taller and wider. Both probably date from the late fourteenth or fifteenth centuries. The windows are all set in deep reveals; those in the chancel and the arches of the piscina and sedilia on the south chancel wall have cusped inner arches which were inserted as part of the restoration works. The open timber rafter roofs over the nave and chancel have braced collars and probably date from 1870, when the vestry minutes record extensive roof repairs. Most of the interior furnishings date from the 1870s restoration or later, but some early features survive.

Exterior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the exterior of the church building and the churchyard.

The church is built of local limestone, roughly squared and coursed in the nave. The pitched roofs of both nave and chancel are covered with stone slates. 

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

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Who:
Advanced
Role:
Architect / Surveyor ICM55
From:
To:
Contribution:

Building Fabric and Features

This field is an index of the building and its major components

Work in progress - can you help?

Building Materials

This field is an index of the building’s material composition

Work in progress - can you help?

Interior Image

Interior image of 616010 St Mary, Edgeworth
Caption:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Interior image of 616010 St Mary, Edgeworth
Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Photograph of the interior of St Mary, Edgeworth
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
2017, March 06
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
This image is licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic licence.
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Chris Brown (of geograph.org.uk)

Interior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the interior of the church building.

Early furnishings of note include:

  • Stained glass of the fourteenth century, now in chancel northwest window, showing a bishop, possibly Thomas Becket.
  • Several carved fifteenth-century poppyhead oak bench ends at the west end of the nave.
  • A simple trefoil-headed arched piscina in the south east wall of the nave.
  • The stone font at the west end of the nave has an octagonal bowl with quatrefoil decoration on a traceried stem. The font has been clumsily relocated over a seventeenth-century ledger slab.
  • Painted and framed royal arms of King George IV high on the south wall of the nave.
  • Four modest eighteenth and nineteenth century wall tablets in the tower, probably moved from the chancel in the 1870s.
  • The stone mensa of the altar probably dates from the twelfth century but was remounted on traceried stone supports in 1871.

Nineteenth century and later furnishings of interest include:

  • Oak nave benches, made in 1872 ‘after the original pattern’ of the surviving earlier benches. The ends have small brass plates recording the allocation of seating, an unusual survival.
  • Oak Gothic choir stalls and reading desk, installed in 1872.
  • Brass wall-mounted candelabra in nave and chancel, designed by the Rev. George Young and installed in the 1870s.
  • Timber Gothic rood screen and rood loft installed in the 1880s and served by a sixteenth-century stone stair in the chancel.
  • Oak pulpit on a stone base, presented in 1885.
  • Nineteenth and twentieth-century stained glass throughout the church, including the west window commemorating Sir William Tite, the Victorian architect and building contractor who died in 1873 (and to whom Verey/Brooks attribute the restoration of the building)
  • Modern (1940s) brass memorial plaques in chancel.
  • Modern textiles including the kneelers and a tapestry and carpet worked by Mary Heywood and Jane Harlow in 1992.

 

 

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

This field is an index of the building’s internal, architectural components. This includes its internal spaces and those areas’ fixtures and fittings (building components which are securely fixed to the church or cathedral).

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Collapse Internal Fixtures and FittingsInternal Fixtures and Fittings
BELL (1 of 5)
BELL (2 of 5)
BELL (3 of 5)
BELL (4 of 5)
BELL (5 of 5)

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

This field is an index of the building’s movable, non-fixed furnishings and artworks.

Work in progress - can you help?

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: SO 948 059

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Ecology

This field aims to record a description of the ecology of the churchyard and surrounding setting.

Small numbers of serotines and brown long-eared bats use the church as a roosting space. St Mary's was part of the Bats in Churches project 2019-2023.

Ecological Designations

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The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

This field aims to record any evidence of the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

The church has the following evidence of bats: droppings, urine staining, bat surveys 2017, 2019, Bats in Churches project

Burial and War Grave Information

This field records basic information about the presence of a churchyard and its use as a burial ground.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard is closed for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

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Designation TypeNameGrade  
Scheduled Monument Churchyard cross in St Mary's churchyard View more
Listed Building Churchyard Cross In The Churchyard Approximately 10M South Of Church Of St Mary II View more
Listed Building Group Of 8 Rodway Or Blackwell Family Monuments In The Churchyard Approximately 7M West Of Tower To Church Of St Mary II View more

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

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Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Church

Churchyard Structures

This field is an index of the churchyard’s components.

Work in progress - can you help?

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Significance is the whole set of reasons why people value a church, whether as a place for worship and mission, as an historic building that is part of the national heritage, as a focus for the local community, as a familiar landmark or for any other reasons.

High
Setting Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church is listed Grade I, which is the highest rank of listing, reserved for about 2.5% of all listed buildings, and is an important component of the Edgeworth Conservation Area. It is of high archaeological, architectural and historical significance, mainly for its medieval fabric.
Fabric Significance Level:
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Work in progress - can you help?
Fabric Significance Description:
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Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
High
Interior Significance Description:
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The medieval bench ends, the stained glass depiction of a bishop who may be Thomas Becket and fourteenth century stone font are of high significance. The medieval churchyard cross is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and adds to the high significance of the site. The late Georgian Royal Arms and the stone mensa of the altar are of moderate to high significance. The majority of the other furnishings in the church – including the flooring, seating, screens, pulpit and candelabra - date from the 1870s and 1880s and are the fruits of the refurbishment overseen by the Rev. George Shaw and the Lord of the Manor, H.G.W. Sperling. They are of moderate significance as typical products of their date but with added interest because they were all installed as part of a single programme and the names of many of the craftsmen responsible are recorded in the vestry minutes.
Community Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?

Church Renewables

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Open the map of church renewable installations
Solar PV Panels:

This information forms part of the Shrinking the Footprint project.

No
Solar Thermal Panels:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Bio Mass:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Air Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Ground Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Wind Turbine:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
EV Car Charging:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown

Species Summary

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All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

CategoryTotal species recorded to date
TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED 82
Total number of animal species 3
Total number of plant species 79
Total number of mammal species 0
Total number of birds 0
Total number of amphibian and reptile species 0
Total number of invertebrate species 3
Total number of fungi species 0
Total number of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) 79
Total number of ferns 0
Total number of flowering plants 0
Total number of Gymnosperm and Ginkgo 0

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

‘Seek Advice’ Species

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If any of the following species have been seen close to the Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

The church was the centre of many people’s lives and remains a guide to their cares and concerns. Glimpses into those lives have often come down to us in the stories we heard as children or old photographs discovered in tattered shoe boxes. Perhaps your ancestors even made it into local legend following some fantastic event? You can choose to share those memories with others and record them for future generations on this Forum.

Tell us the story of this building through the lives of those who experienced it. Tell us why this church is important to you and your community.

Upload your photographs, share your videos, or compose your story below using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus account.

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WhoActionWhen
Rosemary RiddellModified asset data - Modified the Evidence for the Presence of BatsFri 18 Aug 2023 10:59:18
Rosemary RiddellModified asset data - Modified the Ecology DescriptionTue 15 Aug 2023 10:00:11
Rosemary RiddellModified asset data - Modified the Evidence for the Presence of BatsTue 15 Aug 2023 09:30:56
Rosemary RiddellModified asset data - Modified the Ecology DescriptionTue 15 Aug 2023 09:30:18
Rosemary RiddellModified asset data - Modified the Significance descriptionTue 15 Aug 2023 09:25:35
Rosemary RiddellModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionTue 15 Aug 2023 09:23:25
Rosemary RiddellModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionTue 15 Aug 2023 09:21:06
Rosemary RiddellModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionTue 15 Aug 2023 09:20:23
Rosemary RiddellModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionTue 15 Aug 2023 09:19:55
Rosemary RiddellModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionTue 15 Aug 2023 09:18:26
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