Nominal: 719 Hz Weight: 1222 lbs Diameter: 40.5" Bell 1 of 9
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1930
Dove Bell ID: 4973 Tower ID: 13662 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Norton: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: SO 865 243
St Mary’s Church is grade II* listed building known locally as the ‘disappearing church’ as it appears to vanish behind the hill as you drive up the A38. It is set in the hamlet of Prior’s Norton and is the most prominent building in the village. The church serves the surrounding area generally referred to as ‘Norton’. St Mary’s, Norton forms part of the Seven Towers Group of Churches. The Chancel part of the building dates originally from the 13th Century.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 273 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The Chancel part of the building dates originally from the 13th Century and has had a series of additional works right until the 1800s. Extensive repairs and restoration was undertaken to the church in the mid 1870’s. It has remained largely unaltered since, save for the Victorian pews and screen to the belltower, although some pews in the south west corner were removed in the 1980’s and replaced by movable chairs. The Church was given its Grade II* listing in 1955. The Church was completely re-roofed in 2003.
Exterior Description
The chancel is in the style of 'Early English' architecture. The nave of the Church probably dates 50 years later than the chancel and one curious feature is that the windows on the south side are of a later, perpendicular, style. The tower is in the perpendicular style and came about 50 years after the nave. On the outside of the tower, near the top, are gargoyles, which were put in nearly every old church as ornamentation to cover up water spouts from the roof. One of them shows a man playing bagpipes, and this design is rare. The Church is principally constructed from stone and blue lias with a tiled roof, although there is a stone roof to the Chancel.
Interior
Interior Description
The chancel is in the style of 'Early English' architecture, and the stonework of the window over the altar is a very good example, although the glass in it is more modern. The asymmetrical double-chamfered pointed chancel arch is probably 14th century. In 1876 a new pulpit and font purchased, the railing between nave and chancel and nave and sanctuary with painted cast iron foliate supports five bells re-hung and one recast, the tower repaired and a new floor laid. Up to 1935 six bells hung in the tower. In 1931 the bells were overhauled and the tower restored. About one year later two extra bells were eventually cast by Mr. Bond of Burford and were hung and dedicated on 17th October 1935.
Bells
Nominal: 1442 Hz Weight: 377 lbs Diameter: 24.25" Bell 2 of 9
Founded by Thomas Bond 1935
Dove Bell ID: 33335 Tower ID: 13662 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Nominal: 1349.3 Hz Weight: 457 lbs Diameter: 26.25" Bell 3 of 9
Founded by Thomas Bond 1935
Dove Bell ID: 33336 Tower ID: 13662 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Nominal: 1207 Hz Weight: 413 lbs Diameter: 27.63" Bell 4 of 9
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1685
Dove Bell ID: 33337 Tower ID: 13662 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: multiple Cracked: No
Nominal: 1114.5 Hz Weight: 560 lbs Diameter: 29.5" Bell 5 of 9
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1685
Dove Bell ID: 33338 Tower ID: 13662 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 961.3 Hz Weight: 593 lbs Diameter: 31.96" Bell 6 of 9
Founded by Thomas Bond 1930
Dove Bell ID: 33339 Tower ID: 13662 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Nominal: 901.1 Hz Weight: 677 lbs Diameter: 32.75" Bell 7 of 9
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1711
Dove Bell ID: 33340 Tower ID: 13662 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: multiple Cracked: No
Nominal: 805.1 Hz Weight: 847 lbs Diameter: 36.25" Bell 8 of 9
Founded by Abraham II Rudhall 1735
Dove Bell ID: 33341 Tower ID: 13662 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: multiple Cracked: No
Nominal: 1076.5 Hz Weight: 578 lbs Diameter: 29.81" Bell 9 of 9
Founded by James Barwell
Dove Bell ID: 48409 Tower ID: 13662 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SO 865 243
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.
It is unknown whether 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
Sources
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