Batsford, St Mary's Church

St Mary's Church, Batsford

Standing immediately outside Batsford Arboretum is the beautiful 19th-century parish church of Batsford village, dedicated to St Mary. There has been a church here since the Middle Ages but the church we see today was built in 1861-2 by the architects Poulton and Woodman of Reading under the patronage of the Mitford family of Batsford Park.

This is the third church on this site. The first was of uncertain age, but built during the medieval period. It was replaced in 1774. That Georgian building was, in turn, replaced in 1861-62.

The church is best-known for its superb Neo-Norman style and the outstanding collection of memorials to members of the Mitford and Freeman families. Sir John Mitford inherited the Batsford Estate in 1808 and retained it until 1919 when it passed to Sir Gilbert Wills, Lord Dulverton, whose family own it today.

The church is constructed of ashlar limestone in a Neo-Norman Gothic style and was reroofed with concrete tiles in the 20th century.

The apsidal chancel

Royal Connections

A story, repeated on the Batsford Estate website, says that King George V often took the train to London on Sundays to worship at St Mary's Church and then dine at Batsford Park.

The church houses several significant memorials that trace the history of prominent local families and Irish nobility. Perhaps the most distinguished memorial is dedicated to the Right Honourable Richard Freeman, who served as Lord High Chancellor of Ireland. His marble tablet, adorned with decorative cupids, represents the church's connection to Irish political history.

The Freeman family's importance to the church is further evidenced by two other notable monuments. A marble monument with Ionic columns and an urn-topped triangular pediment commemorates Thomas Freeman, while a more artistically significant piece by sculptor Boehm honours John Freeman-Mitford with a marble tablet depicting an angel.

Baron and Lady Redesdale's memorial

Earlier local history is represented by the elegant 18th-century memorial to Elizabeth Revelry, featuring an open pediment and decorative urn.

Another important memorial of the same period is that of Sarah White, set in the porch wall. White was a servant at Batsford Park and her memorial was erected in 1762 by Thomas Freeman in her memory. The epitaph reveals what a highly regarded servant she was:

'Who through a long course of Years prov'd herself an Example (most worthy imitation) of strict Honesty & unshaken Fidelity.'

Elizabeth Revelry memorial, 1781

A Mitford Tragedy

One moving memorial is that of Major the Honourable Clement Mitford DSO, of the 10th Royal Hussars. Mitford was killed in action at Velorenhoek, Flanders, on 13 May 1915 at the age of 38. Mitford was the eldest son and heir of Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, 1st Baron Redesdale.

When his father died the following year, the title of Baron Redesdale passed to Clement's younger brother, David. David and his wife Sydney had six daughters, known to history collectively as the Mitford Sisters.

Architectural Features

The church's architecture masterfully demonstrates the Victorian interpretation of Norman style. The building plan centers on a nave with a distinctive south-west tower, crowned by a spire that combines Norman and French Romanesque elements. The tower features an octagonal drum set within four large pinnacles, with cyclopean gabled spire lights.

The limestone and marble font

Exterior Design

The exterior showcases the Victorian architects' attention to detail in their revival of Norman elements. The nave windows on the south face display elaborate Neo-Norman decoration, with round-headed arches and flanking colonnettes. The apsidal chancel features single-light windows adorned with chevron decoration, a quintessential Norman design element.

Interior Craftsmanship

The nave leads to the chancel through a round-headed arch decorated in Neo-Norman style. The chancel itself features a blind wall arcade and a ribbed ashlar tunnel vault with incised zig-zag decoration.

Artistic Elements

The church benefits from significant artistic contributions of the late Victorian period, notably the stained glass windows created by CE Kempe between 1888 and 1898. These windows, particularly prominent near the pulpit and throughout the chancel, represent some of Kempe's finest work from this period. Look for Kempe's trademark wheatsheaf symbol in a window above the choir stalls.

The limestone and marble pulpit

The limestone pulpit features blind arcading and marble columns, while the circular font combines limestone with marble columns in its pedestal. The woodwork throughout the church is treated to resemble masonry, often incorporating nail head decoration.

Arts and Crafts influence is visible in the lighting fixtures, which include three circular candelabras and eight wall-mounted candle holders distributed between the nave and chancel.

The Hon. Frances Mitford memorial

Exterior Features

Nave

• Buttressed north, south and west walls
• Three two-light, round-headed, stone-mullioned casements on south
• Similar but simpler design windows on north
• Three-light neo-Norman style west window with taller central light

Apse

• Single-light, round-headed stone casements with chevron decoration
• Engaged colonnettes
• Continuous string below apse windows
• Continuous corbel table with neo-Norman decoration

Tower and Spire

• Octagonal drum within 4 large pinnacles
• Cyclopean gabled spire lights of French Romanesque character
• Ribbed spire
• Two-light, neo-Norman style windows on third stage
• Decorated quatrefoils
• Round-headed plank door with ornate hinges

The Neo-Norman church entrance

Interior Features

Nave and Chancel

• Round-headed arch of three orders to chancel
• Collar and scissor truss roof alternating
• Blind wall arcade in chancel
• Ribbed ashlar tunnel vault with incised zig-zag decoration
• Stone flagged floor throughout

Fittings

• Circular limestone font with marble columns
• Limestone pulpit with blind arcading
• 19th-century pews and arcaded family pew enclosure
• Arcaded altar rail
• Stained glass by Kempe (1888-1898)
• Arts and Crafts style candelabras

Thomas Freeman memorial, 1808

Monuments

• Sarah White (1762)
• Elizabeth Revelry (18th century)
• Richard Freeman, Lord High Chancellor of Ireland
• John Freeman-Mitford
• Thomas Freeman, 1808
• Frances Mitford marble coffin lid with foliated cross

The church interior

Recent History

Set into the floor is a marble coffin lid, decorated with a foliated cross on a gold mosaic background, commemorating the Hon. Frances Mitford. The coffin lid is in the style of Sir George Gilbert Scott but there is no certainty that Scott had a hand in the design.

St Mary's Church is an excellent example of Victorian church architecture and wel worth a visit.

We accessed the church through a gate at the extreme eastern end of the Peaches Walk in Batsford Arboretum, but please note that there is NO vehicular access through the arboretum.

The easiest way to visit is via the signposted lane off the A429 at the northern edge of Moreton-in-Marsh. Alternatively, if you are already planning a visit to the arboretum, simply extend your walk through the park to take in the church.