Details
ST 68 NW OLVESTON CHURCH HILL (north side)
8/176 Church of St. Mary
30.3.60
G.V. II*
Parish church. Late Norman tower, dated 1606 at time of rebuilding; C14,
enlarged and repaired 1841 (dated on porch) restored 1888-9. Rubble with stone
dressings slate roofs with weathered raised coped verges and kneelers, leaded
roof to tower. Nave, north and south aisles, south porch, central tower, north
and south transeptal chapels, chancel. Decorated style aisles. West front of
nave has 3-light window with hood mould, lancet above with stone bell louvres
and hood mould, cross finial, door to south with 4-centred arched-head and hood
mould with angel stops; west front of each aisle has similar window and lancet
above, weathered angle buttresses. 4-bay aisles have to north four 3-light
windows with flat hood moulds and ogee-headed, cusped tracery, similar windows
to south with trefoil heads, 2-storey porch in 3rd bay from left has pointed
arched opening in chamfered surround, hood mould with mask stops, dated
inscription 1841, small unglazed window above with iron lattice, gargoyles at
eaves. South transeptal chapel has window as on south aisle and door with
Tudor arched head and moulded surround to south, 3-light window with pointed
arch and hood mould to east; north transeptal chapel has vestry with pitched
roof and similar east window. 3-stage tower has north east stair turret with
pointed arched door, slit windows and battlements; 2nd stage has 2-light
windows with round heads, chamfered surrounds and relieving arch, clock to east,
3rd stage has windows with bell louvres, 2-light to north and south, single
light to east and west; plain strings, quoins, embattled parapet, large
pinnacles and central weathervane. 2-bay chancel has 2 windows to south as on
south aisle, central blocked priest's door, 2 similar windows to north, 4-light
Perpendicular style east window with hood mould, quatrefoil above and cross
finial. Interior: C20 door to porch, nave has 5-bay arcades, octagonal piers
with moulded capitals and pointed arches of 2 chamfered orders, parvise door in
south aisle with depressed 4-centred arched head; tower supported on
Transitional Normanarches springing from piers with scalloped capitals and
keel-moulded jamb shafts, arch to south is later and springs from the floor with
deeply hollowed mouldings, high pointed arch with moulded surround between aisles
and chapels. South transeptal chapel has Perpendicular style tomb recess with
ogee crocketed arch and pinnacles, pointed arched door with battlemounted top to
east; north transeptal chapel has vestry door in chamfered surround,
Perpendicular style niche for statue set in east wall. Tower crossing has
ceiling divided into 9 panels with heavy beams supported by corbels, nave,
aisles, chapels and chancel have coved ceilings. Chancel has stone panel at
east end divided into squares with non-repeating pattern of flowers, plain
continuation to north and south incorporating piscina to south, wood panelling
with shields and arms to north and south, from Bristol Cathedral. Fittings:
C19 font, pulpit and pews. One Jacobean sanctuary chair in chancel and one in
tower crossing, Jacobean carved chest in south transeptal chapel. Brass
chandelier in nave of 3 tiers surmounted by bird, from Bristol Cathedral. Brass
monument in south transeptal chapel of 2 kneeling figures wearing tabards, to
Morys Denys and his son, 1496. Monument in recess in north aisle to Ralph
Green, vicar 1590-1639. C16, C17 and C18 ledger stones in tower crossing and
north aisle. Many C18 and C19 marble monuments including in north transeptal
chapel to Rice Charleton with tracery and angel corbels, 1788; monument in
north aisle with mourning female, to Samuel Peach and other members of the
family, 1785 by W. Paty; monument in north aisle to Clarissa Peach, 1836 by
Daw of Berkeley; monument in north aisle with Latin inscription to John Camplin,
1799 by Drewett; monument in south aisle with urn to Edward Bailey, 1748 by
Drewett. One hatchment in north aisle, 3 at west end of nave. External
monument on wall of south aisle, with skull, to Richard Seagar, 1663. East
window by A. Gibbs, south window 1893 by Kempe, north window, 1846 by Willement.
(Sources: Verey, D. : Buildings of England, Gloucestershire : The Vale and The
Forest of Dean. 1970).
Listing NGR: ST6007187286
