The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is the parish church of

Beverston Beverston is a village and civil parish in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 132, decreasing to 129 at the 2011 census. The village is about two miles west of Tetbury. Beverst ...

, Gloucestershire, England, and a

Grade II* listed In the United Kingdom, a listed building is a structure of particular architectural or historic interest deserving of special protection. Such buildings are placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, H ...

building. The church is of Norman foundation, most likely built upon a Saxon site, extended in around 1225 and again in 1361 by

Thomas de Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley Thomas de Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley (5 January 1352/53 – 13 July 1417), ''The Magnificent'', of Berkeley Castle and of Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire, was an English peer and an admiral. His epithet, and that of each previous and ...

, Lord of

Berkeley Castle Berkeley Castle ( ; historically sometimes spelled as ''Berkley Castle'' or ''Barkley Castle'') is a castle in the town of Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England. The castle's origins date back to the 11th century, being designated by English ...

. The church was restored in the mid Nineteenth Century, probably by the architect

Lewis Vulliamy Lewis Vulliamy (15 March 1791 – 4 January 1871) was an English architect descended from the Vulliamy family of clockmakers. Life Lewis Vulliamy was the son of the clockmaker Benjamin Vulliamy. He was born in Pall Mall, London on 15 March 17 ...

, and again in the late Nineteenth Century. The church is situated next door to

Beverston Castle Beverston Castle, also known as Beverstone Castle or Tetbury Castle, was constructed as a medieval stone fortress in the village of Beverston, Gloucestershire, England. The property is a mix of manor house, various small buildings, extensive gar ...

History

Saxon and Norman foundations

The church is of Norman origins, most likely built upon a Saxon site. It was extended in around 1225 and in 1361 by

, Lord of

. The church boasts a tower of two stages and a pointed arch doorway on the South side with a sculpture of Christ that pre-dates the

Norman Conquest The Norman Conquest (or the Conquest) was the 11th-century invasion and occupation of England by an army made up of thousands of Normans, Norman, French people, French, Flemish people, Flemish, and Bretons, Breton troops, all led by the Du ...

Medieval and Tudor era

The South

aisle An aisle is a linear space for walking with rows of non-walking spaces on both sides. Aisles with seating on both sides can be seen in airplanes, in buildings such as churches, cathedrals, synagogues, meeting halls, parliaments, courtrooms, ...

was likely added in the 13th century. The

Chancel In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar, including the Choir (architecture), choir and the sanctuary (sometimes called the presbytery), at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building. It may termi ...

was built in the 14th century, most likely in around 1361 when the nearby castle was refortified.St Mary's, Beverston at Wasleys.org.uk
Retrieved 23 August 2021 The chancel screen is largely original timber and dates from the Fifteenth Century, later restored in the Nineteenth Century. The carved stone pulpit is of Tudor origin.

17th and 18th centuries

There are a number of late 17th and early 18th century monuments on the west wall, and a large monument in the south aisle to one William Tugwell dates from 1763.

19th century

By the 19th century the church had fallen into disrepair, and was in need of restoration. The roof dates to the Nineteenth Century and is by

. At this time the

rood screen The rood screen (also choir screen, chancel screen, or jubé) is a common feature in late medieval church architecture. It is typically an ornate partition between the chancel and nave, of more or less open tracery constructed of wood, stone, o ...

was returned to the church, having served for some while as a pergola in the Rector's garden. In 1884 Reverend Arthur Blomfield carried out renovations. Rev. Blomfield is buried at the Church.

Today

The church is designated as a Grade II*

listed building In the United Kingdom, a listed building is a structure of particular architectural or historic interest deserving of special protection. Such buildings are placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Hi ...

.St Mary's, Beverston at Historic England
Retrieved 23 August 2021 The church is open from nine to five every day.

Gallery

File:Memorial_to_William_Tugwell.jpg, 18th Century Memorial Plaque File:Saxon_sculpture_of_Christ_at_St_Mary's_Church,_Beverston.jpg, Saxon Sculpture of Christ File:Tudor_Pulpit_in_St_Mary's_Church,_Beverston.jpg, Tudor pulpit File:WilliamTugwellMemorial.jpg, Memorial to William Tugwell

References

External links

* Retrieved 23 August 2021
St Mary's, Beverston at Historic England
Retrieved 23 August 2021

Retrieved 23 August 2021 {{DEFAULTSORT:Beverston, Saint Mary Church of England church buildings in Gloucestershire Grade II* listed churches in Gloucestershire