Church Of St Mary

Church of St. Mary, Shipton Sollars

An Anglican parish church, originally built in the 13th century with later Perpendicular additions. The building was restored in 1884–1885 for Mr. E. Fieldhouse of Shipton Sollars Manor and again in 1930 by Messrs. R.L. Boulton of Cheltenham. It comprises a nave and chancel constructed of coursed limestone rubble, originally plastered, of which traces remain.

The chancel's north wall features a single cinquefoil-headed lancet with stopped hood. The east wall holds a three-light Perpendicular window with stopped hood. On the south wall sits a partly blocked two-light window within a rectangular surround with Perpendicular tracery; to its left is a small lancet, and between the two windows is part of the east jamb of a priest's doorway. The nave's south wall bears a votive cross incised into the quoin approximately 30 centimetres above the base course at the south-east corner. A pointed early plank door with fillets, repaired at the bottom, sits within an early Perpendicular doorway of two orders. A late Perpendicular, square-headed two-light window with cinquefoil heads to each light occupies the right side. A three-light Perpendicular west window with tracery and stopped hood is also present. The nave's north wall contains a single cinquefoil-headed light with stopped hood. A 19th-century plank door with fillets formed as decorative tracery, shields with floral decoration, and stopped hood also stands here. Two consecration crosses are visible scratched into the remaining plaster: one approximately one metre west of the north door, and one immediately west of the north chancel window. The roof displays a slightly stepped gable coping. A roll-cross saddle with an early stone cross, discovered during church restoration, surmounts the structure. A 19th-century bellcote at the west gable end of the nave contains a single bell and simple cross finial.

The interior is plastered throughout. A pointed, flat-chamfered chancel arch divides the spaces. The nave features a three-bay 15th-century wagon roof with tie beams having moulded soffits, king posts to collars, and a moulded wallplate; the section nearest the chancel is enclosed to form a wagon roof with finely carved wooden bosses at panel intersections. The chancel has a similar single-bay roof. A small aumbry lies to the left of the arch. Another aumbry, set in the north wall of the sanctuary to the left of the altar, features a thick stone slab shelf and a 20th-century door with traceried decoration. A simple Early English piscina occupies the south wall of the chancel; the front of its bowl is defaced. Early 20th-century panelling lines the chancel, including linenfold decoration behind the altar. Post-Reformation texts remain visible on the nave's north and south walls. Above the chancel arch is a black letter inscription reading 'God Save the King', probably referring to Henry VIII. An inscription reading 'I R 1212' appears to the left of the chancel arch, likely recording the church's foundation in that year during the reign of King John. Eight painted consecration crosses, four in the nave and four in the chancel, all rendered in reddish-brown, are painted around at a later date. The floor is of flagstone. The interior contains 20th-century choir stalls and chairs, and a mid-17th-century carved oak pulpit with tester, probably fashioned from discarded carving pieces. A 20th-century hourglass stand, created around 1930 to house an old hourglass brought from elsewhere, is attached to the wall in front of the pulpit. Two 17th-century carved oak chairs remain: one elaborately carved with roses and thistles, and a child's chair. A stone mensa, discovered during 20th-century restoration, is supported by two cylindrical columns with moulded capitals and bases standing on a chamfered stone, possibly from a chest tomb.

Monuments are distributed throughout the church. The nave's north wall displays a monument to John Powell of Frogmill, died 1734, and other Powell family members, featuring an oval limestone plaque with a finely carved winged cherub's head at the top. The nave's south wall contains a monument to Sarah Roberts, wife of Thomas Roberts of Hampen, Gent, died 1671, with a segmental pediment, marble inscription plaque in a limestone surround, wreathed half-skull at the top, winged angel at the bottom, and foliate decoration flanking the sunken inscription panel. An unidentified monument, dated 1697, displays a marble inscription panel in a finely carved limestone surround of almost heart-shaped form with beaded surround and winged faces at top and bottom, flanked by scrollwork with flowers and fruit. A stone ledger set in the sanctuary floor in front of the altar bears the letters J.W.E.S.R. and the date 1706. Further stone ledgers are set into the nave floor. A brass plaque on the north wall to the left of the altar commemorates Joseph Walker, rector of Shipton churches, died 1706.

The chancel contains fine 20th-century stained glass by Geoffrey Webb. The east window features figures of St. Thomas and St. Mary Magdalene. The north window displays the arms of the Fieldhouse family. The south-east window contains two medallions, and the south-west window depicts a figure of Madonna and Child.