Information for record number MWA1407:
Church of St Mary, Whitchurch

Summary The Church of St Mary dates back to the Medieval period, although alterations to the building were made in later periods. The Church is located 300m to the west of Alderminster.
What Is It?  
Type: Church
Period: Medieval - Industrial (1066 AD - 1913 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Whitchurch
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 22 48
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

  
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Chancel and nave with bellcote at W end. The W half of the nave is about 1m wider than the E half and is undoubtedly the earliest part, probably late 11th century. The E half may have been the early 12th century chancel, in which case the W half, as the original nave, must have extended much farther W than it does now. Late in the 12th century another chancel was added, and this was lengthened in the 13th century. It was remodelled at the end of the 15th century, when the fine E and side windows were inserted. Much repair done in the 17th century; it was probably then that the nave was shortened and the present W wall built. The reset Norman doorway in the S wall was most likely in the original W wall. Other repairs and restorations in the 18th century and later. Nave roof probably 17th century, chancel roof modern. A 15th century tomb and some late 15th century glass in the chancel. Bell of c1350.
2 Plan of the church.
3 Photograph of the interior.
8 An Anglo-Saxon carved stone, probably a grave-slab, is set flush into the west wall of the nave.
9 Observation revealed a substantial wall foundation 10m west of the church. This most probably formed the original west end of the Norman nave prior to its shortening in the 17th century. In the soil over the wall there was a limestone block carved with late Anglo-Saxon interlace decoration that had been reused as a plinth. Outside the existing west end of the church part of the floor of the medieval nave, consisting of monochrome green and yellow glazed tiles survived in situ.
 
Sources
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 5, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1965
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 5
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The Buildings of England: Warwickshire
Author/originator: Pevsner N and Wedgwood A
Date: 1966
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Warwicks
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1960
Page Number: 5
Volume/Sheet: Stratford-on-Avon Ru
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 5, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1965
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 5
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 5, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1965
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 5
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Observation Report
Title: Archaeological Observation at St Mary's Church, Whitchurch
Author/originator: Mason, P & Jones, C
Date: 2004
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Report No 0434
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Photograph
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: SMW
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 948
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Serial
Title: TBAS vol 99
Author/originator: Hingley R, Hunt J and Stokes M A
Date: 1995
Page Number: 67-70
Volume/Sheet: 99
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: OS Card, 15SE2
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1968
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 15SE2
   
Images:  
St Mary's church, Whitchurch
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1979
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
source LBL Listed Building List. Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a list. Buildings placed on the list are protected through various planning and conservation acts which ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them. The Listed Buildings List is compiled and maintained by English Heritage. It includes details of where the building is, when it was built, a description of its appearance, and any other special features. back
source OS Card Ordnance Survey Record Card. Before the 1970s the Ordnance Survey (OS) were responsible for recording archaeological monuments during mapping exercises. This helped the Ordnance Survey to decide which monuments to publish on maps. During these exercises the details of the monuments were written down on record cards. Copies of some of the cards are kept at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. The responsibility for recording archaeological monuments later passed to the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments. back
source SMR Card Sites and Monuments Record Card. The Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record began to be developed during the 1970s. The details of individual archaeological sites and findspots were written on record cards. These record cards were used until the 1990s, when their details were entered on to a computerised system. The record cards are still kept at the office of the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
source TBAS Transactions of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society is a journal produced by the society annually. It contains articles about archaeological field work that has taken place in Birmingham and Warwickshire in previous years. Copies of the journal are kept by the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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monument CARVED STONE * A stone (including standing stones, natural boulders and rock outcrops) decorated with carved motifs. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument FLOOR * A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known. back
monument GRAVE * A place of burial. Use more specific type where known. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back
monument TOMB * A grave or sepulchre including a monument. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record