Shropshire Churches and Churchyards

The church in the village of Astley Abbotts is dedicated to St. Calixtus who was a Bishop of Rome martyred in the 3rd century. Inside can be found the faded remains of a 'maiden's garland', a heart-shaped wooden frame decorated with gloves, cloth and ribbons. Such garlands were once the fashion to commemorate maidens who died before marriage. The one at Astley Abbotts has a ribbon-like piece of paper saying, in still legible handwriting, that it commemorates Hannah Phillips who drowned while crossing the Severn on the eve of her wedding. Pope Saint Callixtus I or Callistus I, was pope from about 217 to about 222, during the reigns of the Roman Emperors Heliogabalus and Alexander Severus. He was martyred for his Christian faith and is a canonized saint of the Roman Catholic Church. (2009 views on Panoramio)

Lovely spot for lunch in the sun. (1287 views in Panoramio) “St. Giles’s, in the small hamlet of Barrow, is one of Shropshire’s oldest churches, founded on the estates of one of England’s earliest monasteries, Wenlock Abbey (later Priory). Even though it does not occupy the highest point in the parish, it would have been a fair trek uphill for the 8th Century inhabitants of the Abbey who used the building as a small stone oratory, or ‘cell’, for solitary prayer. Over 1200 years of history is packed into the fabric and atmosphere of our church.” www.broseleyparishes.org.uk/churches/st-giles-barrow

What better place to have your lunch than a seat at the Church of St Bartholomew at Bayton and look over to the Clee Hills. The spire of the Church of St Mary at Cleobury Mortimer can be seen middle right.

What better place to have your lunch than a seat at the Church of St Bartholomew at Bayton and look over to the Clee Hills.

Grade I Listed Building The body of the church dates from the 14th century, and replaced an earlier church on the site. This part of the church was probably completed by 1345, when a chantry chapel was endowed by Hugh de Mortimer. The lower part of the west tower is also from this time, the upper part being added in about 1720. The south porch was built in 1887 by J. Farmer of Newport en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Peter%27s_Church,_Chelmarsh

Grade I Listed Building The body of the church dates from the 14th century, and replaced an earlier church on the site. This part of the church was probably completed by 1345, when a chantry chapel was endowed by Hugh de Mortimer. The lower part of the west tower is also from this time, the upper part being added in about 1720. The south porch was built in 1887 by J. Farmer of Newport en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Peter%27s_Church,_Chelmarsh

A place to sit and have lunch at the Grade I Listed Building. The body of the church dates from the 14th century, and replaced an earlier church on the site. This part of the church was probably completed by 1345, when a chantry chapel was endowed by Hugh de Mortimer. The lower part of the west tower is also from this time, the upper part being added in about 1720. The south porch was built in 1887 by J. Farmer of Newport en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Peter%27s_Church,_Chelmarsh

Church of St Giles is a Grade II* listed building. britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101188141-church-of-st-giles-chetton#.W9NHoxoo-hA

Church of St Giles is a Grade II* listed building. britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101188141-church-of-st-giles-chetton#.W9NHoxoo-hA

Church of St Giles is a Grade II* listed building. britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101188141-church-of-st-giles-chetton#.W9NHoxoo-hA

All Saints church at Claverley is a Grade I listed red sandstone church dating back to 1017 in its foundation. Its later Templar provenance is reflected in the churchs fortress-esque appearence. The church interior is substantial and features a remarkable wall painting circa 1200 reminiscent of the Bayeux tapestry. There is also a frieze of mounted knights representing the conflict between seven Christian virtues and seven pagan vices which was discovered in 1902 when the colour wash removed. There are also fine timbered ceilings, good examples of stained glass and a finely worked tomb with alabaster effigies of Sr. Robert Broke, his two wives, and 16 children. Record of gifts includes 8 shillings a year to awaken sleepers. Last performed using a fox's brush on a pole!

Grade I Listed Building. Architectural evidence suggests that Linley chapel was built in the later 12th century; it provided sanctuary in 1203. Now it seems to be only used occasionally. britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101176860-church-of-st-leonard-barrow#.XNg6dIrTW-o

"Collegiate church with long chancel, mostly late Norman. Fine early Norman chancel arch. Nave arcades have Transitional mouldings. The tall western tower has thick walls with flat buttresses. Cl4 stained glass window in chancel. Norman font."