St. Mary's Church is a Church of England parish church in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, England.
The Church of England Parish Church of St Mary was begun before the 1066 conquest. [1] Pevsner described its chancel as "Norman in its bones" and wrote that its 17th-century plaster decoration, a "surprise and delight", "ought to be the purpose of a visit from every Wiltshire tourist". [2]
The church was extended in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, with a large tower added in the 15th. Plasterwork in the chancel depicting biblical scenes was designed in about 1639 by Dean Christopher Wren. [3] Five of the six bells are from the 18th century. [4] The building was further extended in the 19th century, along with restoration in 1845 by Wyatt and Brandon, and interior alterations in 1875-6 by Sir Arthur Blomfield.
The church was declared Grade I listed in 1966. [3] Since 2008, [5] the ecclesiastical parish forms part of the benefice of St Bartholomew, a group of six parishes. [6]
St Mary's had a chapelry at Hindon from the 13th century. Hindon became a separate vicarage in 1869. [7]
Christopher Wren (1589–1658) was rector of East Knoyle from 1623. [8] [9] He married Mary Cox, daughter of Richard Cox of Fonthill Bishop. Their children were all born at the parsonage house, including in 1632 Christopher, who would become a prominent architect. After Christopher senior was appointed Dean of Windsor in 1635, the family spent part of each year there. [10]
St. Mary's Church is a Church of England parish church in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, England.
The Church of England Parish Church of St Mary was begun before the 1066 conquest. [1] Pevsner described its chancel as "Norman in its bones" and wrote that its 17th-century plaster decoration, a "surprise and delight", "ought to be the purpose of a visit from every Wiltshire tourist". [2]
The church was extended in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, with a large tower added in the 15th. Plasterwork in the chancel depicting biblical scenes was designed in about 1639 by Dean Christopher Wren. [3] Five of the six bells are from the 18th century. [4] The building was further extended in the 19th century, along with restoration in 1845 by Wyatt and Brandon, and interior alterations in 1875-6 by Sir Arthur Blomfield.
The church was declared Grade I listed in 1966. [3] Since 2008, [5] the ecclesiastical parish forms part of the benefice of St Bartholomew, a group of six parishes. [6]
St Mary's had a chapelry at Hindon from the 13th century. Hindon became a separate vicarage in 1869. [7]
Christopher Wren (1589–1658) was rector of East Knoyle from 1623. [8] [9] He married Mary Cox, daughter of Richard Cox of Fonthill Bishop. Their children were all born at the parsonage house, including in 1632 Christopher, who would become a prominent architect. After Christopher senior was appointed Dean of Windsor in 1635, the family spent part of each year there. [10]