St Mary the Virgin Church, Turville

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a 12th century English church located in Turville, Buckinghamshire, England.

St Mary's Church
The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin
St Mary's Church is located in Buckinghamshire
St Mary's Church
St Mary's Church
Location in Buckinghamshire
51.614031°N 0.893693°W / 51.614031; -0.893693
OS grid referenceSU 76723 91081
LocationTurville
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
WebsiteWebsite
History
StatusChurch
Founded12th century
DedicationVirgin Mary
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationGrade II*
Architectural typeChurch
StyleGothic
Specifications
Bells6
Administration
DioceseOxford
DeaneryWycombe
BeneficeHambleden Valley
Clergy
Bishop(s)Steven Croft
RectorRev Sue Lepp
Assistant priest(s)Rev Sue Morton
Laity
Churchwarden(s)Caroline Sants

History

The church is first recorded in the 12th century. It was built mainly using flint, principally due to its sole availability in the Middle Ages. The nave of the church is the oldest surviving part, dating from the early 12th century. In 1340, the present bell tower was built and the chancel was enlarged. The four bells in the tower date from 1670 and 1744. A fifth bell was added in the late 1990s for the millennium and the sixth bell was added in 2018 [1][2]

Further changes to the church were made in 1733, with the addition of the north aisle, which aimed to house the pew for the Lord of the Manor, William Perry. The north aisle also includes a marble monument to William Perry. Two armorial glass windows in the south wall commemorate the connection of the Parry family with the church.[3]

Restoration

The church was restored on numerous occasions, notably in 1875 when the chancel floor was raised, in 1901 when the vestry was constructed, in 1972 when the roof was repaired and, in 1996 with the new bell-frame and re-tuned peal. The 1901 restoration uncovered a stone coffin containing two skeletons, one dating from the 16th century which had a hole in the skull, indicating a possible murder victim. Today, the coffin stands in front of the north aisle.[4] The coffin might have been used as an ossuary during a time when the churchyard became overcrowded.

The church was used in the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley, where it was used as the parish church named St Barnabas' (sic).[5]

References

  1. "Ex-international rowing coach funds new bell at famous TV church".
  2. "I bought you a gift, darling... It's a 152kg steel church bell".
  3. "Church History", The Hambleden Valley Group of Churches. Retrieved on 14 May 2020.
  4. Ross, David "Turville, St Mary's Church", Britain Express. Retrieved on 14 May 2020.
  5. "St Mary, Turville". www.hambleden-valley-churches.org.uk. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
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