Proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ
The Parish Church of St Mary, Atherstone
Atherstone is an ancient town on the famous Roman road, Watling Street. That the Watling Street runs through the town was confirmed in 1868 when excavations, for the purpose of installing a town drainage system, revealed huge blocks of stone, laid by the Romans. Deep tracks made by the wheels of chariots were plainly to be seen.
In the Doomsday Book Atherstone is spelt "Aderstone"; the name is probably derived from a Saxon farmstead (tun) owner named Aepelred (p=th).... and so Athelreds Tun. Many Saxon settlements arose at strategic positions such as where two important routes crossed and Athelred’s Tun was the crossing of the route between Derby and Ashby to Coleshill and Oxford.
In the late Saxon period, just before the Norman Conquest, a large area of Atherstone and its open fields and woodlands belonged to the Countess Godiva.
Following the Conquest, Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester, gave the manor of Atherstone to the Monastry of Bec Her Lonin in Normandy. The Monks of Bec believed Atherstone to be in an advantageous trading position and proceeded to establish it as a market town. While they were mainly concerned with the economic role of their manor, the spiritual life of the inhabitants was not neglected. A chapel was built in 1155 on twelve acres of land near the Market Place and agreement was made with the parson of Mancetter for regular services in the chapel. About the year 1357 this early chapel became the site for the church of an Augustian Friary. This Friary church, completed in 1385, forms the Chancel of the Church of St. Mary.
In the Doomsday Book Atherstone is spelt "Aderstone"; the name is probably derived from a Saxon farmstead (tun) owner named Aepelred (p=th).... and so Athelreds Tun. Many Saxon settlements arose at strategic positions such as where two important routes crossed and Athelred’s Tun was the crossing of the route between Derby and Ashby to Coleshill and Oxford.
In the late Saxon period, just before the Norman Conquest, a large area of Atherstone and its open fields and woodlands belonged to the Countess Godiva.
Following the Conquest, Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester, gave the manor of Atherstone to the Monastry of Bec Her Lonin in Normandy. The Monks of Bec believed Atherstone to be in an advantageous trading position and proceeded to establish it as a market town. While they were mainly concerned with the economic role of their manor, the spiritual life of the inhabitants was not neglected. A chapel was built in 1155 on twelve acres of land near the Market Place and agreement was made with the parson of Mancetter for regular services in the chapel. About the year 1357 this early chapel became the site for the church of an Augustian Friary. This Friary church, completed in 1385, forms the Chancel of the Church of St. Mary.
A short History of Atherstone and the Parish Church of St. Mary
History
At the Dissolution of the Monastries in 1538 this chancel ceased to be used for worship although the old nave was kept as a church. Following the granting of a school charter in 1573 the disused chancel became the home of the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and continued in this use until 1864.
The building of the present nave commenced in 1848 and it was dedicated on 14th March, 1850; it cost £3,000 and seated 1400 people. In 1884 the chancel was restored, joined to the nave and dedicated in 1888.
"The Baddesley Porch", on the North side of the church, was erected soon after rebuilding as a private entrance for the occupants of Atherstone Hall. It is twelfth century and came from the old Baddesley church after its demolition in 1842.
Prior to the Battle of Bosworth, the Earl of Richmond lodged at the Three Tuns hostelry in the town and received sacrament in the church on 21st August, 1485, the eve of the battle. This final battle of the Wars of the Roses was won by the Earl of Richmond and he was crowned King Henry VII thus beginning the reign the Tudor dynasty. Five hundred years later, on 27th June, 1985, their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales visited the town and St. Marys on the 600th anniversary of the completion of the church and the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Bosworth.
The building of the present nave commenced in 1848 and it was dedicated on 14th March, 1850; it cost £3,000 and seated 1400 people. In 1884 the chancel was restored, joined to the nave and dedicated in 1888.
"The Baddesley Porch", on the North side of the church, was erected soon after rebuilding as a private entrance for the occupants of Atherstone Hall. It is twelfth century and came from the old Baddesley church after its demolition in 1842.
Prior to the Battle of Bosworth, the Earl of Richmond lodged at the Three Tuns hostelry in the town and received sacrament in the church on 21st August, 1485, the eve of the battle. This final battle of the Wars of the Roses was won by the Earl of Richmond and he was crowned King Henry VII thus beginning the reign the Tudor dynasty. Five hundred years later, on 27th June, 1985, their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales visited the town and St. Marys on the 600th anniversary of the completion of the church and the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Bosworth.