Friends of St Mary's Church, Hanley Castle

History of St. Mary's Church

There is evidence of a Saxon church on the site of St. Mary's in the form of the Lechmere stone, an ancient tombstone dated between the 9th and 11th centuries and of graves uncovered beneath the existing path to the church during widening work some years ago. The original path led in from the eastern boundary of the churchyard which formed part of the main track from the castle to the village, more or less parallel to the existing road towards Worcester.

The present church was founded in the 12th century, built using Roman bricks and Saxon stone. However the only remaining Norman feature is the south doorway. Extended soon after 1200 a new altar was dedicated in 1290 and the north aisle build around 1300; St Mary's retains 14th century nave windows and a 14th century octagonal font.

The original tower was damaged during the Civil War and was replaced by a massive brick tower complete with battlements in 1674, when the east end was rebuilt under the patronage of the Lechmere family of Severn End. They rescued the church from decay again in 1858 by funding a major restoration, including the installation of stained glass and Minton tiles. Windows included those in the west end of the naves both by Clayton & Bell; the 'Last Judgement of Christ' being a particularly nice example.

The tower contains a peal of six bells all originally cast by Abraham Rudhall of Gloucester in 1699; they were last recast and tuned in 1929.