Church Road, North Woodchester, Glos GL5 5PD (SO 840027)
When the Christian faith was first brought to the village is not known; that it has been here for a long time is certain. There is clear documentary evidence for a resident Saxon priest in 896AD. The parish boundaries are of Saxon origin and it is most likely that a building for worship existed in that period on the site of the old church. This was situated near the northernmost edge of the parish, and so there is good reason for assuming that the Saxon church was built over a pagan shrine or Christian chapel in the ruins of the 4th Century Roman Villa. It has been suggested that the Christian faith was already here when this Villa was built, on the grounds that the Orpheus theme of the great mosaic is symbolic of Jesus Christ, the Creator of all.
By the middle of the 19th Century the old church was too small and had fallen into a bad state of repair. It was decided to build a new church closer to the village population. The old edifice was pulled down, leaving only the early Norman chancel arch and part of the north wall.
The church stands on a spacious, central site chosen in 1861 (or perhaps 1859 according to Back) because there was plenty of land for a large churchyard. It is thought that this area, called Berrymore, was an encampment in pre-Roman times.
The project was financed by local subscription, the land having been given by the Wise family. The church was consecrated on 24th September, 1863, the service being delayed as the Bishop of Gloucester missed the train and had to make the journey on horseback.
The architect chosen to design the new church was S. S. Teulon (1812-73), and under his direction it was built by Harrison of King's Stanley. Unlike many of his contemporary church architects, Teulon was largely unaffected by the emphases of the Tractarian movement. Creating new forms out of medieval precedents, his designs were of a 'low church' nature. For example, at Woodchester the minister's prayer desk stood originally in the nave, facing the congregation, but was later placed in the chancel. The Holy Table was clearly designed to fit visually into the reredos and not to be covered with a frontal.
Teulon, a London architect, designed a number of churches in Gloucestershire, and was responsible for the refurbishing of several others. His work at Woodchester is, however, more orthodox than some of his other churches.
By the middle of the 19th Century the old church was too small and had fallen into a bad state of repair. It was decided to build a new church closer to the village population. The old edifice was pulled down, leaving only the early Norman chancel arch and part of the north wall.
The church stands on a spacious, central site chosen in 1861 (or perhaps 1859 according to Back) because there was plenty of land for a large churchyard. It is thought that this area, called Berrymore, was an encampment in pre-Roman times.
The project was financed by local subscription, the land having been given by the Wise family. The church was consecrated on 24th September, 1863, the service being delayed as the Bishop of Gloucester missed the train and had to make the journey on horseback.
The architect chosen to design the new church was S. S. Teulon (1812-73), and under his direction it was built by Harrison of King's Stanley. Unlike many of his contemporary church architects, Teulon was largely unaffected by the emphases of the Tractarian movement. Creating new forms out of medieval precedents, his designs were of a 'low church' nature. For example, at Woodchester the minister's prayer desk stood originally in the nave, facing the congregation, but was later placed in the chancel. The Holy Table was clearly designed to fit visually into the reredos and not to be covered with a frontal.
Teulon, a London architect, designed a number of churches in Gloucestershire, and was responsible for the refurbishing of several others. His work at Woodchester is, however, more orthodox than some of his other churches.
The History of St Mary’s