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St Mary

Bitton

Gloucestershire

Anglo-Saxon origins on an earlier British site.

Architectural Features

Norman remodelling with inserted Decorated and Perpendicular style windows.

St Catherine's Chapel (north side) added 1298-9.

Late C14 chancel.

Transept removed C15.

Blocked Norman south door with continuous order, see Keynsham Abbey across the river, and nook shafts

Small, probably reset, Norman doorway to north of Tower (in Vestry) with outer order of elaborated chevron forming lozenges and dogtooth (again probably ll7Os or 1180s) and with a later moulded pointed arch inserted.

Interior: Two sculpted feet above the chancel arch presumably indicate a colssal rood Former porticus arch in north wall gives the width of the Anglo-Saxon church.

Saxon chancel arch now masked by Norman chevron work of 1846 (by Rev H T Ellacombe).

The Lady Chapel is rather smart Bristol work with cusped rear arches, 5 bay sedilia and piscina with crocketted labels, headstops, cusped arches and carved vaults behind.

Stop fragments in the Lady Chapel include a carved hand of God, presumably from the Rood, and 2 coffin tops, one with effigy, from the chancel.

Numerous memorials inside the church, in chancel John Burlie died 1627, John Seymour died 1663 (female supporters and weepers), H T Ellacombe and 3 wives [in Gothic style presumably designed by him in the 1820s or 1830s although he lived till 1885 (inscribed as 188V)].

In the nave Francis Stone died 1641 , Stephen Roswell died 1650.

Photo coming soon