Evenlode, St Edward, King & Martyr Church

St Edward's Church, Evenlode

Once a part of Worcestershire, the pretty Gloucestershire village of Evenlode gives its name to the River Evenlode, which flows from Moreton-in-Marsh eastward for forty-five miles before emptying into the Thames.

In the Saxon period, Evenlode parish was claimed by the monks of both Worcester Priory and Evesham Abbey, each of whom presented a charter of King Offa in support of their rights. Worcester Abbey had a charter of AD 772 but Evesham Abbey presented a charter dated to AD 784. The second charter was later proven to be a forgery, so the Evenlode estate was secured by Worcester Priory.

Sometime around 1150, Bishop John of Worcester gave the manor of Evenlode to Hugh Poer, his son-in-law. Poer gives his name to the nearby Gloucestershire village of Guiting Power.

The 14th-century pulpit

The 12th-century Church

It was around the same time that the parish church, dedicated to St Edward, King and Martyr, was built, so we can assume that either Hugh Poer himself or a previous bishop of Worcester was responsible for the building we see today.

The earliest written record of Evenlode church comes from 1270, when the then Bishop of Worcester presented William de Saltmarsh as rector. Ownership of Evenlode must have changed shortly after, for in 1301 the church was owned by Richard Deyvile, the lord of Evenlode manor.

The church consists of a nave, chancel, west tower, south aisle and porch, with an organ chamber extending the chancel to the north. The oldest part of the building is the nave, which dates to the 12th century.

The chancel

The chancel arch dates from the same period, but it may have been altered in the 14th century. It is an excellent example of late-Norman style, with rounded mouldings and capitals carved with a scallop design. You can still see a medieval mason's mark on the north side of the arch.

The church was heavily restored in 1879 under the direction of the architect JEK Cutts (1847–1938). Cutts and his brother, John, oversaw the restoration of some 46 churches across England in a career spanning from 1873 to 1912.

Nine Men's Morris game carving

Medieval Games

The south aisle was added in the 14th century and a piscina is built into the window sill; an unusual design. Even more intriguing is a Nine Men's Morris design carved into the sill.

Nine Men's Morris is a board game dating back at least the Roman period. It was popular in the Middle Ages and it seems clear from the playing outline etched into the window sill that it was popular with Evenlode parishioners.

The medieval sedilia, or sanctuary chair

The Sanctuary Chair

The south aisle window nearest the porch holds fragments of medieval glass, but perhaps the most interesting historical feature in the church is a stone sedilia, or clergy seat, in the south aisle. This crude stone seat was thought for many years to be a sanctuary chair, offering freedom from criminal prosecution to those who sat in it.

A sanctuary stool is also known as a frith stool or peace stool. There are only three examples of sanctuary stools in Britain; one at Hexham Abbey, one at Beverley Minster, and one at Sprotborough, in Yorkshire.

The example at Evenlode is now thought to be a simple single-seat sedilia, which is typically found on the south side of the chancel, close to the high altar. We don't know why it was moved from the chancel to the south aisle.

The Charity Board

Charity Board

On the wall is a painted wooden charity board detailing two bequests. The earliest is by Thomas Barker, who left 10s yearly to the poor of the parish when he died in 1700. The second bequest is dated 1756 and details the gift of the income from a parcel of land called Campden's Close to provide 40s annually to the poor of Evenlode in perpetuity.

Another medieval highlight is a 14th-century wooden pulpit made of oak. The octagonal font is medieval, perhaps of the 14th century. In a window in the south wall are fragments of medieval glass including a depiction of a bearded king thought to represent King Edward the Confessor.

On the floor beside the sedilia is a millstone. This was likely used to grind grain to make communion bread.

Medieval stained-glass head of Edward the Confessor

Burial Ground Highlights

In the churchyard is what appears to be the stepped remains of a medieval churchyard cross, though the cross pillar and head are now gone. Also in the churchyard is a chest tomb dated 1613, though the inscription is too worn to see who is remembered here. A second 17th-century chest tomb commemorates Thomas Rooke, the son of Thomas Rooke.

The tower clock was installed in 1911 to commemorate the coronation of King George V.

Visiting

Evenlode Church is a delight. I've visited several times and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I'm fascinated by the 'sanctuary chair'. It is unlike anything I've seen in any English medieval church. I can well believe that it is a stone sedilia, as seems to be the consensus, but I've never seen a freestanding one like this before.

The church is listed Grade II* for its heritage interest and is open daily to visitors. It has been open every time we visited. There is no obvious car park but we found it easy to park along the road.

Piscina carved into the window sill

Architectural Highlights

• Built from coursed squared and dressed limestone and sandstone
• Stone slate roof
• Basic plan: nave, chancel, south aisle, west tower, vestry, and porch

The Tower

• Three-stage Perpendicular design
• Diagonal buttresses and string courses between stages
• 1911 clock
• Embattled parapet
• Belfry windows with trefoil heads on all sides

Medieval churchyard cross base

Medieval Highlights

• 14th-century oak pulpit with blind tracery and carved heads
• Remains of 12th-century chancel arch (rebuilt in 14th century)
• Medieval window glass fragment
• 14th-century stone piscina and sedilia
• Carved depressions for Nine Men's Morris game on window sill

Victorian Additions

• Decorative roof structure in chancel and nave
• Coloured tile flooring
• Panelling around nave
• Benefaction board in south aisle