St Mary's Church, Walsgrave

Last updated

Church of St Mary the Virgin
WTC Anthony & Henri StMary'sChurch3.JPG
West Midlands UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location within the West Midlands
General information
StatusGrade II* listed
Town or city Coventry
CountryEngland
Coordinates 52°25′29″N1°26′38″W / 52.4246°N 1.4440°W / 52.4246; -1.4440
Completed1300

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a church in Walsgrave, in the city of Coventry in the West Midlands of England. The building is Grade II* listed, though churches in ecclesiastical use are exempt from listed building procedures.

Red sandstone font from the Norman chapel that stood on the site of St Mary's before 1300. Font from Norman chapel at St. Mary's Church in Walsgrave-on-Sowe.jpg
Red sandstone font from the Norman chapel that stood on the site of St Mary's before 1300.
Walsgrave-on-Sowe in the early 1900s, showing the higher wall around the graveyard of St Mary's that was removed in 1951. Walsgrave-on-Sowe in the early 1900s.jpg
Walsgrave-on-Sowe in the early 1900s, showing the higher wall around the graveyard of St Mary's that was removed in 1951.

A Norman chapel was built at the site in Sowe sometime after 1086. The first mention of the chapel was in 1221, and St Mary's church is its successor. All that remains of the Norman chapel is the church's font and a pillar capital, both carved from red sandstone. [1] [2]

The church was originally built in 1300, with additions made in the medieval period, and in the 19th and 20th centuries. The original building was composed of local red sandstone, with grey sandstone being added later on. The tower was added in the 15th century. No visible trace of the original church building can be seen in the current structure, and it is possible that the church was completely rebuilt later in the 13th or 14th centuries. Medieval fabrics in the church are particularly of historical interest, as are the 14th-century windows, and other medieval fittings. [3]

In 1951, the wall around the churchyard along the street was removed and the ground within the perimeter leveled and sloped nearly to street level. In the process, coffins interred in the churchyard were removed and reburied on a local farm, and the headstones were either placed upright against the south wall of the churchyard or laid flat around the church grounds. [4] [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary Redcliffe</span> Church in Bristol, England

The Church of St Mary the Virgin, widely known as St Mary Redcliffe, is the main Church of England parish church for the Redcliffe district of the city of Bristol, England. The first reference to a church on the site appears in 1158, with the present building dating from 1185 to 1872. The church is considered one of the country's finest and largest parish churches as well as an outstanding example of English Gothic architecture. The church is so large it is sometimes mistaken for Bristol Cathedral by tourists. The building has Grade I listed status, the highest possible category, by Historic England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Saints' Church, Childwall</span> Church in Merseyside, England

All Saints' Church, is in Childwall, Liverpool, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building, and is the only medieval church remaining in the Metropolitan borough of Liverpool. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Liverpool, the archdeaconry of Liverpool and the deanery of Liverpool South – Childwall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walsgrave on Sowe</span> Suburban village of Coventry, West Midlands, England

Walsgrave on Sowe, or simply Walsgrave, is a suburban district situated approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north-east of central Coventry, West Midlands, central England. Although it now experiences very little flooding, it was built on marshlands. However, due to urban growth, it is now an outer suburb of Coventry, south-west of the villages of Ansty and Shilton. Walsgrave on Sowe neighbours the Potters Green, Clifford Park, Woodway Park, Wyken, Henley Green and Mount Pleasant areas of Coventry, and is in the Henley ward of the city, although Walsgrave-on-Sowe was formerly in the Wyken Ward prior to ward changes made in 2003 by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Nicholas Church, Kenilworth</span> Church in Kenilworth, England

St Nicholas Church is a Church of England parish church in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wyken</span> Human settlement in England

Wyken, a suburb of Coventry, West Midlands, England, is situated between the areas of Stoke and Walsgrave, three miles east-northeast of Coventry city centre. The population of this Coventry Ward taken at the 2011 census was 16,818. It is a fairly large ward spreading as far as the Binley area. The majority of the houses in Wyken are terraced houses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Wilfrid's Church, Grappenhall</span> Church in Cheshire, England

St Wilfrid's Church is the parish church of Grappenhall, in the Borough of Warrington in Cheshire, England. It is designated by Historic England as a Grade I listed building. It is an active Anglican church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Chester and the deanery of Great Budworth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Astbury</span> Church in Cheshire, England

St Mary's Church is an Anglican parish church in the village of Newbold Astbury, Cheshire, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building, and its architecture has been praised by a number of writers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary and All Saints' Church, Great Budworth</span> Church in Cheshire, England

St Mary and All Saints Church is in the centre of the village of Great Budworth, Cheshire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Chester and the deanery of Great Budworth. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. Clifton-Taylor includes it in his list of 'best' English parish churches. Richards describes it as "one of the finest examples of ecclesiastical architecture remaining in Cheshire". The authors of the Buildings of England series express the opinion that it is "one of the most satisfactory Perpendicular churches of Cheshire and its setting brings its qualities out to perfection".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Acton</span> Church in Cheshire, England

St Mary's Church is an active Anglican parish church located in Monk's Lane, Acton, a village to the west of Nantwich, Cheshire, England. Since 1967 it has been designated a Grade I listed building. A church has been present on this site since before the time of the Domesday Survey. The tower is the oldest in Cheshire, although it had to be largely rebuilt after it fell in 1757. One unusual feature of the interior of the church is that the old stone seating around its sides has been retained. In the south aisle are some ancient carved stones dating back to the Norman era. The architectural historian Alec Clifton-Taylor includes the church in his list of 'best' English parish churches. In the churchyard is a tall 17th-century sundial. The church is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Macclesfield and the deanery of Nantwich. Its benefice is united with those of St David, Wettenhall, St Oswald, Worleston, and St Bartholomew, Church Minshull.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St Mary the Virgin, Bosley</span> Church in Cheshire, England

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is in Leek Road, Bosley, Cheshire, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Macclesfield, and the deanery of Macclesfield. Its benefice is combined with those of St Michael, North Rode, St Michael, Wincle, and St Saviour, Wildboarclough.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Bruera</span> Church in Cheshire, England

St Mary's Church is in the small settlement of Bruera, which lies between the villages of Saighton and Aldford, in Cheshire, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building. The church contains Norman elements, but it has been subjected to alterations and modifications, particularly in 1896. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Chester and the deanery of Malpas. Its benefice is combined with those of St Peter, Waverton, and St John the Baptist, Aldford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St Mary the Virgin, Bowdon</span> Church in Greater Manchester, England

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is in the village of Bowdon near Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Macclesfield and the deanery of Bowdon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary the Virgin's Church, Leigh</span> Church in Greater Manchester, England

The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin is a Church of England parish church in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England. It is a member of the Salford & Leigh deanery in the archdeaconry of Salford, diocese of Manchester. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Kentigern's Church, Caldbeck</span> Church in Cumbria, England

St Kentigern's Church,, is in the village of Caldbeck, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Carlisle, the archdeaconry of Carlisle and the diocese of Carlisle. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. It is dedicated to Saint Kentigern, whose alternative name is Saint Mungo; hence the church's alternative title of Caldbeck, St Mungo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Church of St Nidan, Llanidan</span> Medieval church in Anglesey, Wales

The Old Church of St Nidan, Llanidan is a medieval church in the community of Llanidan, in Anglesey, North Wales, close to the Menai Strait. The first church on the site was established in the 7th century by St Nidan, the confessor of the monastery at Penmon, Anglesey, but the oldest parts of the present structure, now closed and partly ruined, date from the 14th century. In about 1500 the church was enlarged by the addition of a second nave on the north side, separated from the earlier nave by an arcade of six arches. During 1839 till 1843 a new church was built nearby to serve the local community, partly due to the cost of repairing the old church. Much of the building was subsequently demolished, leaving only part of the western end and the central arcade. The decision was condemned at the time by Harry Longueville Jones, a clergyman and antiquarian, who lamented the "melancholy fate" of what he called "one of the largest and most important [churches] in the island of Anglesey". Other appreciative comments have been made about the church both before and after its partial demolition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Cleobury Mortimer</span> Church in Shropshire, England

St Mary's Church is on Church Street, Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Ludlow, the archdeaconry of Ludlow, and the diocese of Hereford. Its benefice is united with those of six local parishes to form the Cleobury Benefice. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. It is notable for its shingled twisted spire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Edstaston</span> Church in Shropshire, England

St Mary's Church is in the village of Edstaston, in the civil parish of Wem Rural, Shropshire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Wem and Whitchurch, the archdeaconry of Salop, and the diocese of Lichfield. Its benefice is united with those of St Chad, Prees, Holy Emmanuel, Fauls, Christ Church, Tilstock, and St Mary, Whixall. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. It is described as "one of the most complete Romanesque buildings in Shropshire".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St John the Evangelist's Church, Corby Glen</span> Church in United Kingdom

The Church of St John the Evangelist is a Grade I listed Church of England parish church dedicated to John the Evangelist, in Corby Glen, Lincolnshire, England. The church is 9 miles (14 km) south-east of Grantham, and in the South Kesteven Lincolnshire Vales. It is noted in particular for its 14th- and 15th-century medieval wall paintings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Walton-on-the-Hill</span> Church in Merseyside, England

St Mary's Church is in Walton, Liverpool, Merseyside, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Walton, the archdeaconry of Liverpool and the diocese of Liverpool. Its benefice is united with those of St Nathanael, Walton-on-the-Hill, and St Aidan, Walton-on-the-Hill, to form the Walton Team Ministry. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St Thomas à Becket, Box</span> Church

The Church of St. Thomas à Becket is the Church of England parish church of Box, Wiltshire, in south-west England. It is one of a number of churches named after Thomas Becket following his martyrdom. The church has 12th-century origins and was substantially remodelled in the 14th, 15th, 18th and 19th centuries. It is a Grade I listed building.

References

  1. "History of St. Mary's - The Sowe Chapel". St. Mary's Walsgrave. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  2. "History of St. Mary's - Potted History". St. Mary's Walsgrave. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  3. "Church of St Mary the Virgin". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  4. "History of St. Mary's - Into the Twentieth Century". St. Mary's Walsgrave. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  5. Green, Harold. "Harold Green (1899-1971), farmer, n.d." Coventry University Archive Catalogue. Retrieved 11 October 2022.