Discover Rudford Church
HISTORICAL SPOTS IN RUDFORD AND HIGHLEADON
The Church of st. Mary the virgin, Church Lane, Rudford At the centre of the community is Rudford church, which nestles by the banks of the river Leadon.
‘Set in green pastures by the River Leadon’ from The king’s England, Gloucestershire by Arthur Mee.
A church has stood on this site for the last 1200 years, one of the earliest sites of Christianity in Gloucestershire. The first recorded incumbent was 1297. The Church is steeped in history and it is known that cavaliers killed at the Battle of Barber’s Bridge in 1643 are buried in the chancel. The Church is not only important for its past, it plays a major role in the present life of the villages of Rudford and Highleadon. It marks the rhythm of life through baptisms, weddings and funerals, and it is a focal point for a number of village events. It is venue for splendid musical concerts, poetry readings, flower festivals, art and craft exhibitions, and attracts great support for all social functions.
Much of the history of the church is written in its stones. There are 11th century Norman windows to the east and worth sides but the windows in the south and west walls date from more than three centuries later.
There is a vaulted chancel with two small Norman windows to light a chamber above. The mediaeval south doorway is blocked internally.
Above the west door is a decorated window with two small Norman lights higher up beneath the neo-Norman bellcote of 1870. The worth side of the church retains its neo-Norman fenestration largely intact The chancel was restored in 1847 by Thomas Fulljames who, no doubt, tidied up the vault. General restoration by Medland & Son took place in 1869-70 when the wave roof was rebuilt and new furnishings were provided. Thomas Gambier Parry (watercolourist, collector of Italian 14th and 15th century painting, and inventor of the ‘Spirit Fresco technique for wall paintings) used St. Mary’s to practice painting frescos and a small area remains today in the vestry. The font is 14th century surrounded by mediaeval floor tiles, known as Canyngs Pavement, thought to have been made near Bristol. An altar cloth is displayed on the west wall, and bears the inscription: The Gift of Richard Awborne 1616: The stained glass window in the east wall is no doubt by George Rogers, circa 1848.
A major restoration project started in August 2005 following a ten year fund raising programme. Internally it involved work on the organ, chancel arch, chancel half-pillars, font, installation of new heating and lighting systems and complete redecoration. Externally some stone masonry work was carried out but there is still some more to be done.
The Victorian School Room
Following the Education Act in 1870 the old Rudford Poor House was pulled down and the school Room was built in 1872. It was conveyed to the rector and Churchwardens in a deed on the
27th June 1890.
In March 2008 a kitchen/cloakroom extension was commenced at the rear of the school room to provide essential facilities
