Tewkesbury, The Abbey
Detail of fan vault in cloister.
The Abbey church of St. Mary, Tewkesbury was founded in 1092 by a cousin of William the Conqueror. The building work was largely complete by 1121, when the church was consecrated. Another major building campaign took place in the 14thc.
Until the Reformation, this church was a Benedictine Abbey. Then, it was sold to the townspeople by Henry VIII for £453. It then became what it remains to this day - a parish church. But as these photos will illustrate, it is no ordinary parish church. Indeed, it is larger than many cathedrals, and it boasts great art treasures and architectural features that would be the envy of any English cathedral. For instance, it contains what has been described as the largest and finest collection of medieval tombs outside of Westminster Abbey, and also a good deal of high quality medieval stained glass. Tewkesbury is, in short, one of the greatest churches in this country.
Tewkesbury, The Abbey
Detail of fan vault in cloister.
The Abbey church of St. Mary, Tewkesbury was founded in 1092 by a cousin of William the Conqueror. The building work was largely complete by 1121, when the church was consecrated. Another major building campaign took place in the 14thc.
Until the Reformation, this church was a Benedictine Abbey. Then, it was sold to the townspeople by Henry VIII for £453. It then became what it remains to this day - a parish church. But as these photos will illustrate, it is no ordinary parish church. Indeed, it is larger than many cathedrals, and it boasts great art treasures and architectural features that would be the envy of any English cathedral. For instance, it contains what has been described as the largest and finest collection of medieval tombs outside of Westminster Abbey, and also a good deal of high quality medieval stained glass. Tewkesbury is, in short, one of the greatest churches in this country.