St Mary Magdalene

MATERIALS: Medieval parts are of tufa.

The C19 work is of local Bunter sandstone with Alveley sandstone dressings, with tile roofs, except for the leaded chancel roof.

At the east end of the nave is a projecting section of the C12 nave wall.

The C12 chancel has set-back C19 red-sandstone buttresses.

Windows are mainly restorations of C14 originals.

On the north side is a 2-light window and one round-headed restored Norman window.

INTERIOR: The nave has a 4-bay south arcade in C14 style, with octagonal piers, moulded capitals and double-chamfered arches.

The late Norman chancel arch has 2 orders of shafts, eroded block capitals and roll mouldings.

A fragment of wall painting, composed of lozenges of the early C12, is in the north chancel wall.

Nave and aisle have red and black tiles, and raised wooden floors beneath the pews.

The chancel, reached up steps, has similar tiles, except for medieval tiles in the sanctuary discovered during the 1857 restoration.

Two C13 grave slabs are in the porch floor.

PRINCIPAL FIXTURES: The font is Norman, with 4-leaf flower decoration in roundels around the bowl, presumed to be C17 reworking, on a pedestal of stout clustered shafts.

The polygonal pulpit on a broad pedestal has foliage panels, incorporating Christian symbols.

A painted Royal arms of George I is on the nave north wall.

Priests¿ stalls at the ends are distinguished by carved poppy heads.

Several windows have stained glass, of the C19 and C20.

St Wulstan and Lady Adeliza Countess of Shrewsbury, who co-founded the church in the late C11, 1936 by Geoffrey Webb.

HISTORY: Founded as a collegiate church in 1084-86 by Roger of Shrewsbury, standing in a commanding position overlooking the Severn valley.

The college had moved to Bridgnorth by the mid C13, since when Quatford has been a parish church.

Of the present building the C12 nave north wall, chancel, and the chancel and tower arches survive, of what was a substantial Norman church.

The C12 church was built of tufa, which was probably shipped here on the River Severn.

The church was modified in the C14 with new fenestration in the chancel.

The churchwardens stipulated that the tower should be in medieval style.

Webb, A and Curtis, R., St Mary Magdalene, Quatford: Guide and History REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: The church of St Mary Magdalene, Quatford, is listed Grade II* for the following principal reasons: * It has substantial surviving C12 fabric, including the chancel and tower arches. * The tower is a good example of C18 Gothic-survival architecture. * There is interior detail of special interest, including C18 plaster ceiling and C12 font.