Architectural Features
the chancel was extended by one bay and vaulted in mid C13
On the west side, the C12 archway has square responds with scalloped capitals, and an arch with an outer order of chevron moulding formerly supported on angle shafts.
The Grade I listed https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1245668?section=official-list-entry Church of St Mary de Lode dates from 1190 and is the earliest surviving church in Gloucester. The nave was rebuilt in 1825-6 by James Cooke, a local mason, in a plain Early Gothic style; the chancel was restored in 1853, with further restorations in 1865, 1869, 1885 and 1912; the west part of the nave was converted to a church hall in 1980.
A number of tablet monuments are attached to the walls.
Bishop Hooper Monument in St Mary's Square. Bishop Hooper was burnt at the stake in February 1555, St Mary de Lode church is in the background possibly the oldest church in Gloucester.
The C13 arch on the east side has clustered shaft responds with foliated capitals and a plain roll moulding, and gives access to the two-bay chancel beyond the tower.
The altar is set up a shallow stone step, and the floor has C19 polychrome tiles beyond.
In the north wall of the chancel is an altered C14 arched recess housing an effigy.
Under a trapdoor in the west end of the nave, about 3m below the current ground level, the remains of the Roman building beneath the church is visible, in the form of a fragment of monochrome mosaic.
The adjoining fragment of stone wall may have belonged to the C11 annexe at this location.
References to a church on this site go back to the late 11th century and it is the oldest parish church in Gloucester. The tower and chancel are of medieval date but the nave, depicted in this photograph, was rebuilt in 1826 in early Gothic Revival style.
The east window and the north and south windows in the chancel have STAINED GLASS by George Rogers, of 1848-9.
possibly commemorating William Chamberlayne , or John de Rodberrow There are several other, minor monuments, including two by James Cooke, who built the present nave, dating from circa 1819-21.
(iv–v) 1636 by Roger Purdue