Nominal: 732.5 Hz Weight: 1680 lbs Diameter: 41.5" Bell 1 of 7
Founded by Charles Carr 1907
Dove Bell ID: 3309 Tower ID: 14315 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Highley: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: SO 741 832
St Mary’s Church, Highley is set around 120 metres from the current Main Road (B4555). It occupies high ground to the south of the present village centre, the churchyard falling away to the south and east. This site reflects the morphology of Highley around 1200 when the church was built (‘Highley’ is probably Anglo-Saxon reputed to mean ‘the clearing of Huga’, the village thus having started as a clearing in the Wyre Forest.). The Church is clearly visible from southern approaches to the village as the churchyard abuts Main Road (B4555). It is constructed of local red and buff sandstone and consists of a chancel, nave (with porch and vestry) and tower. With the exception of the vestry, all these features are medieval. The tower in particular makes it a striking feature within the built environment.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 210 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The church is first documented in the mid-12th century and much of the nave and chancel appears to be of early Norman date. There is documentary evidence of repairs being required to the building by the early 14th century and this is reflected in the structure, which shows substantial evidence of patching as well as the insertion of windows and doors. Major work was undertaken in the late 15th or early 16th centuries, with the construction of a tower and the insertion of a wooden ceiling in the nave. In subsequent centuries there is both physical and documentary evidence for repairs and alterations, continuing into the early 20th century with the construction of a vestry (1901).
Building Materials
Sandstone
11th Century
Highley Sandstone
Sandstone
11th Century
Sandstone
Interior
Interior Description
The interior walls are bare stone, revealing details of the complex history of construction and repair of the structure. Aside from two wooden doors of possible early modern or medieval date, the fittings, are largely late 19th century or 20th century in date. The pews, pulpit and font are thought to date to the restoration of 1880/81 which was directed by Samuel Pountney-Smith, a respected Shrewsbury architect. There is an organ in a loft in the tower. The west window has a stained glass war memorial, installed after the Second World War, and that to the east in the Chancel, the ‘Good Shepherd’ is of 1948 by Hardman. There are a small number of monuments on the walls, the most significant being two 19th century memorial tablets and three tablets commemorating various fallen of the two World Wars. There are also brass plaques commemorating the 1880/1 nave restoration, the 1907 tower refurbishment and the 1904 installation of the pulpit.
Bells
Nominal: 1277 Hz Weight: 504 lbs Diameter: 27" Bell 2 of 7
Founded by Charles Carr 1907
Dove Bell ID: 24762 Tower ID: 14315 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1128.5 Hz Weight: 560 lbs Diameter: 29.25" Bell 3 of 7
Founded by Charles Carr 1907
Dove Bell ID: 24763 Tower ID: 14315 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1019 Hz Weight: 672 lbs Diameter: 32.13" Bell 4 of 7
Founded by Charles Carr 1907
Dove Bell ID: 24764 Tower ID: 14315 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 952 Hz Weight: 728 lbs Diameter: 32.75" Bell 5 of 7
Founded by Worcester foundry
Dove Bell ID: 24765 Tower ID: 14315 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 859.5 Hz Weight: 1008 lbs Diameter: 37.63" Bell 6 of 7
Founded by Robert Hendley
Dove Bell ID: 24766 Tower ID: 14315 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Diameter: 8.5" Bell 7 of 7
Founded by (unidentified)
Dove Bell ID: 24767 Tower ID: 14315 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SO 741 832
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.
The churchyard has war graves.
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.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
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
Quinquennial Inspections
Submit a change
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