Name: St Mary's Church, Kempley
Rating: 5.0

St Mary's Church, Kempley

Oak Cottages, Kempley, Dymock, Gloucestershire GL18 2AT, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

St Mary's Church, Kempley this simple Norman church in Gloucestershire, remote from the village it once served, has the oldest timber roof of any building in England. Its greatest glory, however, comes from having some of the best preserved medieval wall paintings in Britain.

Those in the chancel are particularly rare, dating from the early 12th century, and are the most complete set of Romanesque frescos in northern Europe. The paintings are a vivid reminder of a time when church interiors were covered in such paintings. They tell stories from the Bible, depict the lives of saints, and show terrifying visions of demons and eternal damnation.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of St Mary’s Church, Kempley: The tiny church of St Mary at Kempley, Gloucestershire, was probably built in the early 12th century by Baron Hugh de Lacy, owner of Kempley manor. Its exterior is unassuming, but inside, this simple Norman building is adorned with the most outstandingly complete and well-preserved medieval wall paintings in England. Those in the chancel, dating from the early 12th century, are particularly rare, and are the most complete set of Romanesque paintings in northern Europe. They are a vivid reminder of a time when church interiors were covered in such decoration. St Mary’s also has some exceptionally ancient timbers, including the oldest timber roof of any building in England.
The church: Built around 1130, this tiny church is an extraordinary survival from the Norman world. Its exceptional decoration is owed to the patronage of one of the wealthiest early Norman families in England, the de Lacys.
The wall paintings: Medieval church paintings were used to educate and inspire a congregation who may not have understood the Latin church services. They taught a Christian understanding of the world, offered moral guidance, and aroused the emotions. The artists at St Mary’s used the nave – the main body of the church – to depict more earthly subjects, while the chancel (the east end, where the altar stood) was conceived as Heaven, and shows a vision of Christ at the Apocalypse.
Medieval timber: Tree-ring dating has revealed that St Mary’s still has its original Norman roof and doors. In the 1990s tree-ring dating was carried out on timbers from the church roof, which was hidden above the 17th-century ceiling in the nave. This revealed that St Mary’s roof was built in the early 12th century, making it the earliest and most complete Norman timber roof known in Britain. Unlike later medieval roofs, its 16 roof trusses were held together with collars (horizontal beams) and struts, rather than tie-beams spanning from wall to wall.

Facilities

Parking: There is limited free car parking available on the roadside opposite the church.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open daily from 10am-6pm Mar to Oct and from 10am-4pm Nov-Feb.

Address: Oak Cottages, Kempley, Dymock, Gloucestershire GL18 2AT, UK

Post Code: GL18 2AT

Council: Forest of Dean

County: Gloucestershire

Road Access: 1 mile north of Kempley off B4024; 6 miles north-east of Ross-on-Wye.
Bus Access: Young’s service 677 (Tue & Fri only)
Train Access: Ledbury 8 miles.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is limited free car parking available on the roadside opposite the church.