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St Mary And St Andrew

Condover

Shropshire

Late C12, 1662-79 and 1868, restored by Fairfax Wade 1878.

Architectural Features

Uncoursed and dressed pink sandstone with ashlar dressings, machine tile roofs.

Tower: 1664 in late Perpendicular style

Nave: 1660s also in late Perpendicular style, replacing a medieval nave with north aisle and crossing tower

North transept: late C12 has pilaster buttressing from chamfered plinth and a moulded string course, 2 round-headed windows on north and one on west, all with nook shafts and waterleaf capitals

Chancel: 1868 on site of C13 chancel.

Interior: pointed double-chamfered tower arch has initials "J.O/1664" on right jamb for John Orum, mason

early C20 stained glass in north wall of nave by Hardman and Powell with east window by Reginald Cholmondley

font by Landucci of Shrewsbury with carved figures of Christ and St John the Baptist

C13 oak chest in north transept has iron strap- work with fleur-de-lys finials

The chief feature of the church is its monuments: these include Thomas Scriven and wife, 2 recumbent alabaster effigies in deep 4-centred arched recess with strapwork achievement, frontally placed children against tomb chest below (chancel south wall)

higher on wall to right a memorial to Martha Owen brought from Old St Chad's, Shrewsbury - frontal bust in oval recess between columns with carving of her baby in front

other most notable monuments all in north chancel chapel

against north wall a fine double monument paid for by Jane Norton , she and her husband, Bonham, are represented by the upper figures while the lower figures are of her elder brother, Sir Roger and her father, Thomas Owen, builder of Condover Hall (q.v.), each figure is kneeling and faces its partner across a prayer desk

below east window Roger Owen by L.F. Roubiliac , semi-reclining figure with seated female figure (Roger's daughter, Catherine) at its feet

centre stage goes to marble monument of Sir Thomas Cholmondley (called Owen), , powerful bearded kneeling figure holding a sword by G.F. Watts in a style developed from Nicholas Stone

Watts' influence is detectable too in the sentimental monument by Reginald Cholmondley to his wife, Alice, and her infant daughter (died) 1864), recumbent effigy of Alice with her baby lying by her side, its cradle stands empty at the mother's feet.

Condover was in origin a Saxon minster parish, serving a vast area, and had several dependent chapelries including the Church of St John the Baptist, Stapleton (q.v.).