Nominal: 606 Hz Weight: 2091 lbs Diameter: 49.31" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1717
Dove Bell ID: 6745 Tower ID: 12858 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Thornbury: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: ST 634 906
The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, is a Grade 1 listed church, dating back in some detail to the 12th century. Thornbury is a historic market town and borough, with a charter dating from 1252. Present day Thornbury is largely a commuter town for the nearby city of Bristol. Christian worship has taken place at the site now occupied by St Mary’s Church since 1170. The building was altered in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. The last full restoration was in 1848 by Francis Niblett.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Dimensions:
The church has overall external dimensions of (140 by 60 feet). The roof above the nave is (75 feet), and the top of the tower (130 feet).
Footprint of Church buildings: 762 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Christian worship has taken place at the site now occupied by St Mary’s Church since 1170. The oldest remaining element of church building, the font is located towards the west end of the nave. The building was altered in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. The last full restoration was in 1848 by Francis Niblett. The west tower dates from circa 1540, and was restored in 1889 by Frederick W Waller. The dominant style of this Church is perpendicular, dating it to the early 16th century.
Exterior Description
The church is generally rubble coursed, constructed from undressed stonework. There is limited ashlar style construction, with smooth dressed stonework evident in various locations as well as the south chapel and the tower construction. There are embattled parapets with finials to nave and aisles. The dominant style of this Church is perpendicular, dating it to the early 16th century. This style can be seen in the Tower, Nave, North and South Aisles, Pulpit, Chapels, Organ Loft as well as the Porch.
The church tower has finely traced stonework on the tower roof. The tower is four stage, with diagonal buttresses.
Interior
Interior Description
The Chancel is of a much earlier decorated style, dating to about 1340, in the reign of Edward III, based on the style of the original Eastern Window and the Sedilia and South Chancel Window over it.
The church has a clerestory above the nave, believed to have been added at a later stage than the original perpendicular construction. This clerestory extends the full length of the nave. The clerestory was completely reconstructed and restored in the 1848 repair and reordering.
Inside St Mary’s, the nave is one of the most striking features to the visitor. The main nave has a wooden roof, with exposed joists, all stained dark. There are numerous heraldic badges on the stops to hood moulds. The coats of arms in the nave represent both secular and ecclesiastical authorities of the time of construction.
In the north chancel there is a wall monument to Sir John Stafford, 1624. There is also a floor brass in central chancel to the Tyndalls, 1571, with only the wife's image surviving. In a perpendicular recess in the south side chapel is an Elizabethan (1648) tomb and memorial to Roger Fowke and his daughter. In the nave is a monument to John Atwells, 1729. There are wooden war memorials for the Great War and the Second World War, and a bronze plaque for the Great War in the porch.
Bells
Nominal: 1212 Hz Weight: 654 lbs Diameter: 30.06" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by Whitechapel Bell Foundry 1996
Dove Bell ID: 42464 Tower ID: 12858 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1144 Hz Weight: 682 lbs Diameter: 30.94" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1938
Dove Bell ID: 42465 Tower ID: 12858 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1018.5 Hz Weight: 724 lbs Diameter: 31.88" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by John Rudhall 1828
Dove Bell ID: 42466 Tower ID: 12858 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Nominal: 908 Hz Weight: 814 lbs Diameter: 34.75" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1698
Dove Bell ID: 42467 Tower ID: 12858 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Nominal: 809 Hz Weight: 944 lbs Diameter: 37.63" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by John Rudhall 1788
Dove Bell ID: 42468 Tower ID: 12858 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Nominal: 763.2 Hz Weight: 1279 lbs Diameter: 40.31" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by John Rudhall 1828
Dove Bell ID: 42469 Tower ID: 12858 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Nominal: 680.5 Hz Weight: 1547 lbs Diameter: 44.31" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1698
Dove Bell ID: 42470 Tower ID: 12858 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 634 906
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
| Name | Status | Number found in this site |
|---|---|---|
| Atlas cedar | Notabletree | 1 |
| Common horse chestnut | Notabletree | 1 |
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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