St Mary's, Longnor
St Mary's at Longnor is unusual building, a long single-cell structure little altered since it was built in the 13th century; towerless with only a few slit-like lancet windows piercing its flanks, giving it a picturesquely rustic, slightly barn-like appearance.
Within it is a long tunnel-like space, the main sources of light being the large clear-glazed windows at either end. There is no structural division between nave and chancel, only an increase in the number of windows towards the east denotes the more sacred part of the church.
There is a surprising lack of Victorian restoration here which is most welcome (given how heavily restored many churches are in this area this is a pleasant surprise) and all the furnishings appear to date from the Georgian period, with box pews throughout and a gallery at the west end. The only Victorian work seems to be the glass in the side windows in the chancel, which are so narrow and deeply splayed as to be practically invisible from the nave anyway, leaving the visitor with the impression that they've just stumbled into an interior from the 1800s, as many more churches would have felt like this one at that time.
This is a quiet and welcoming place and feels like a little known gem, and whilst it doesn't require a long visit it is a church with a good sense of antiquity and atmosphere.
St Mary's, Longnor
St Mary's at Longnor is unusual building, a long single-cell structure little altered since it was built in the 13th century; towerless with only a few slit-like lancet windows piercing its flanks, giving it a picturesquely rustic, slightly barn-like appearance.
Within it is a long tunnel-like space, the main sources of light being the large clear-glazed windows at either end. There is no structural division between nave and chancel, only an increase in the number of windows towards the east denotes the more sacred part of the church.
There is a surprising lack of Victorian restoration here which is most welcome (given how heavily restored many churches are in this area this is a pleasant surprise) and all the furnishings appear to date from the Georgian period, with box pews throughout and a gallery at the west end. The only Victorian work seems to be the glass in the side windows in the chancel, which are so narrow and deeply splayed as to be practically invisible from the nave anyway, leaving the visitor with the impression that they've just stumbled into an interior from the 1800s, as many more churches would have felt like this one at that time.
This is a quiet and welcoming place and feels like a little known gem, and whilst it doesn't require a long visit it is a church with a good sense of antiquity and atmosphere.