Draped Lady
The memorial to Charles Trubshaw Withers (d.1804).
St John the Baptist's at Strensham is a Churches Conservation Trust gem and one of Worcestershire's most rewarding churches. The exterior is unusual in its lime-wash finish, the gleaming white tower being visible as a landmark for some distance. Dismissed by Pevsner for being of little architectural merit it nonetheless contains much of interest from ancient woodwork to the splendid Post Reformation monuments dominating the chancel.
Best of all is the unique medieval treasure at the west end, what now looks like a west gallery but was surely recycled from the 15th century rood screen with a continuous row of painted saints stretching the entire width of the church that must have come from the former rood loft. The paintings, a rare survival in the Midlands, have more in common with those found on West Country screens rather than more refined East Anglian ones, but are a wonderful reminder of how colourful our ancient churches once were.
My first attempt to see this church years ago ended in frustration: the church is kept locked but directions are given to a key hanging on a brick pillar outside a nearby house which was missing on my previous visit. This time happily the key was back where it belonged, and my lengthy visit at least saved another visitor the minor inconvenience of seeking it out.
www.worcesteranddudleyhistoricchurches.org.uk/index.php?p...
Draped Lady
The memorial to Charles Trubshaw Withers (d.1804).
St John the Baptist's at Strensham is a Churches Conservation Trust gem and one of Worcestershire's most rewarding churches. The exterior is unusual in its lime-wash finish, the gleaming white tower being visible as a landmark for some distance. Dismissed by Pevsner for being of little architectural merit it nonetheless contains much of interest from ancient woodwork to the splendid Post Reformation monuments dominating the chancel.
Best of all is the unique medieval treasure at the west end, what now looks like a west gallery but was surely recycled from the 15th century rood screen with a continuous row of painted saints stretching the entire width of the church that must have come from the former rood loft. The paintings, a rare survival in the Midlands, have more in common with those found on West Country screens rather than more refined East Anglian ones, but are a wonderful reminder of how colourful our ancient churches once were.
My first attempt to see this church years ago ended in frustration: the church is kept locked but directions are given to a key hanging on a brick pillar outside a nearby house which was missing on my previous visit. This time happily the key was back where it belonged, and my lengthy visit at least saved another visitor the minor inconvenience of seeking it out.
www.worcesteranddudleyhistoricchurches.org.uk/index.php?p...