Norman Capitals, Atherstone
Norman doorway relocated from the old church at Baddesley Ensor following its complete rebuilding in the Victorian period.
St Mary's in Atherstone is a large church tucked away among the trees beyond the marketplace, crowned by its unusually designed octagonal tower. It has had an equally unusual history, the chancel having been originally an independent chapel served from Mancetter, and by the end of the 14th century was serving as the church of a friary, at which point the church seems to have been rebuilt, with the nave used as the parish church and the eastern half for monastic use.
Of the medieval building only the eastern half remains along with the octagonal tower (the upper storey of which was rebuilt to its current design in 1782). The nave and aisles were completely rebuilt in 1849-50 (by Wyatt & Brandon). The medieval chancel had for some years been separated from the church and used by the grammar school, but was restored to church use in 1864.
The exterior is thus largely post-medieval work, but is still enjoyable for its unusual form, and the chancel's original warm red sandstone makes the view from the south east the most attractive.
Entry is by the south porch, and once inside the spaciousness of the Victorian nave is readily apparent, and seems even wider thanks to the group of narrow medieval arches beyond leading to the old chancel. The central arch and piers support the tower, whilst either side are chapels, effectively transepts that extend no further than the width of the aisles (and externally are treated no differently). The eye is drawn to the largely hidden space beyond, with the east window so neatly framed by the central tower arch.
This arrangement effectively divides the church into two very different spaces, the nave broad and fairly typical of a Victorian town church, whilst the chancel is long and narrow and clearly of much greater antiquity, albeit somewhat restored. The furnishings are all Victorian or later, but the easternmost windows contain some attractive glass by the studio of C.E.Kempe, typically rich in detail.
St Mary's is happily one of the more accessible and welcoming churches in the otherwise difficult north of the county. A cafe operates on some weekdays in the partitioned area at the west end of the nave, thus the church is accordingly kept open for a few hours.
Norman Capitals, Atherstone
Norman doorway relocated from the old church at Baddesley Ensor following its complete rebuilding in the Victorian period.
St Mary's in Atherstone is a large church tucked away among the trees beyond the marketplace, crowned by its unusually designed octagonal tower. It has had an equally unusual history, the chancel having been originally an independent chapel served from Mancetter, and by the end of the 14th century was serving as the church of a friary, at which point the church seems to have been rebuilt, with the nave used as the parish church and the eastern half for monastic use.
Of the medieval building only the eastern half remains along with the octagonal tower (the upper storey of which was rebuilt to its current design in 1782). The nave and aisles were completely rebuilt in 1849-50 (by Wyatt & Brandon). The medieval chancel had for some years been separated from the church and used by the grammar school, but was restored to church use in 1864.
The exterior is thus largely post-medieval work, but is still enjoyable for its unusual form, and the chancel's original warm red sandstone makes the view from the south east the most attractive.
Entry is by the south porch, and once inside the spaciousness of the Victorian nave is readily apparent, and seems even wider thanks to the group of narrow medieval arches beyond leading to the old chancel. The central arch and piers support the tower, whilst either side are chapels, effectively transepts that extend no further than the width of the aisles (and externally are treated no differently). The eye is drawn to the largely hidden space beyond, with the east window so neatly framed by the central tower arch.
This arrangement effectively divides the church into two very different spaces, the nave broad and fairly typical of a Victorian town church, whilst the chancel is long and narrow and clearly of much greater antiquity, albeit somewhat restored. The furnishings are all Victorian or later, but the easternmost windows contain some attractive glass by the studio of C.E.Kempe, typically rich in detail.
St Mary's is happily one of the more accessible and welcoming churches in the otherwise difficult north of the county. A cafe operates on some weekdays in the partitioned area at the west end of the nave, thus the church is accordingly kept open for a few hours.