Details

• Building TypePlace of Worship
• General Description architectural glossaryParish church. c1300, much altered. Sandstone rubble; plain tile roof with shingles to spire. Nave, north and south aisles (c1300), chancel (rebuilt early C14), Decorated south chapel (c1320), south porch (early C14), tower, with double-broach spire (rebuilt 1794); outer north aisle (c1874). Nave (rebuilt early C14 with added aisle): arcades of 5 bays with octagonal piers and double-chamfered arches. The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Kington Date Feature Facts 1120-1130 Norman Font c.1190 Originally detached, un-buttressed tower Walls, 6 ft thick, no windows at ground level, built as a place of refuge. One doorway. (Spire rebuilt 1794 after destruction by lightning, reshingled in oak 1885) 1220 Early English chancel Lancet windows on north and east sides c.1300 Nave, arcades, south aisle, chancel arch Fifty different stone masons worked on the nave, leaving their distinctive identity marks on the face of the dressed stones of its pillars and arches c.1325 Chantry chapel Made by extending and widening the south aisle along the side of the chancel. Housed the tomb of Thomas Vaughan and his wife Ellen the Terrible (now in a different position) Late 18th century Lychgate Cupola on four round headed arches 1829, 30 Extension to North Aisle Architect Benjamin Wishlade, responsible for many of Kington's grander buildings. Removed in 1873. 1873,74 Second nave with outer north aisle. Cost £2064, architect Richard William Drew of London. Completed current form of church. 1873, 74 Complete rebuilding of north wall of chancel "a job so well done that most people are unaware that the wall was completely rebuilt" Historical events (few!) A Lollard (William de Swynderby, later burnt at Smithfield) underwent examination by Bishop Trefnant in Kington Church in 1391. Two altars were dedicated by Bishop Orleton of Hereford in 1325. A man who murdered the priest of Pembridge underwent public penance in the church in 1326. (Sources: local histories by Sinclair and Fenn)
• Construction Commenced13th Century
• Construction Completed13th Century
• Conservation StatusConservation area, Listed Grade I
• Main Building MaterialStone
• Building Stone Description The stone is greyer in colour on average than much Downton Castle Sandstone but this is more likely to be a result of weathering than the possibility that it is from the Silurian siltstone (Whitcliffe Beds) towards Bradnor Hill or even closer to hand N of the church where there appears to be an overgrown quarry in Silurian Rocks. Stone: Downton Castle Sandstone or Whitcliffe Beds siltstones, with some replacements in porch using Hollington Sandstone and Grinshill Sandstone. Quoins, window and door surrounds on North side also in Grinshill sandstone. May be some Pennant sandstone in East and South East windows. Source: Elliot Carter, Paul Smith Roof: Plain tiles (ceramic), stone flags on North side (above from Strategic Stone Study)
• Date Created2014-09-05 00:00:00
• Date Modified2017-01-21 14:44:03