St Mary's, Marden
Marden church sits close to the River Lugg some distance to the south west of the main part of the village. The site chosen was apparently where King / St Ethelbert was murdered by King Offa and originally buried (his remains were later transferred to a shrine in nearby Hereford). Such thoughts of a violent moment in history are far from one's mind at this pleasant and peaceful spot today (my only encounter here was with a very friendly local cat!).
Most of the present building is of 13th and 14th century date, the most noticeable feature is the tapering spire at the north west corner which is almost detached (though it touches the north aisle there is no direct access to it from within the church, it is entered instead by an external door on the east side and is often open to visitors). The proportions of the church seem a little odd at first glance with the nave roof being unusually high, but the rarest feature of all is the polygonal apse to the 14th century chancel, a common form on the Continent but quite unusual in England.
Inside the nave impresses with its sense of space height in particular, a very much vertical emphasis, whilst by contrast the chancel arch is low, revealing only a glimpse of the apsed chancel beyond. Most of the windows are clear glazed so the interior is fairly light. There are a few minor memorials of interest in the chancel, including a brass of an Elizabethan lady wearing a spiky tiara.
Marden church is normally kept open and welcoming to visitors and is well worth a look, particularly if one finds the tower open and is intrepid enough to climb it.
www.mardenvillage.co.uk/around-village/marden-parish-church/
St Mary's, Marden
Marden church sits close to the River Lugg some distance to the south west of the main part of the village. The site chosen was apparently where King / St Ethelbert was murdered by King Offa and originally buried (his remains were later transferred to a shrine in nearby Hereford). Such thoughts of a violent moment in history are far from one's mind at this pleasant and peaceful spot today (my only encounter here was with a very friendly local cat!).
Most of the present building is of 13th and 14th century date, the most noticeable feature is the tapering spire at the north west corner which is almost detached (though it touches the north aisle there is no direct access to it from within the church, it is entered instead by an external door on the east side and is often open to visitors). The proportions of the church seem a little odd at first glance with the nave roof being unusually high, but the rarest feature of all is the polygonal apse to the 14th century chancel, a common form on the Continent but quite unusual in England.
Inside the nave impresses with its sense of space height in particular, a very much vertical emphasis, whilst by contrast the chancel arch is low, revealing only a glimpse of the apsed chancel beyond. Most of the windows are clear glazed so the interior is fairly light. There are a few minor memorials of interest in the chancel, including a brass of an Elizabethan lady wearing a spiky tiara.
Marden church is normally kept open and welcoming to visitors and is well worth a look, particularly if one finds the tower open and is intrepid enough to climb it.
www.mardenvillage.co.uk/around-village/marden-parish-church/