Edvin Loach Old Church, near Bromyard (Hertfordshire)

The ruins of an 11th century church

Summary 13th century buildings (or older)

Introduction

The ruins of an 11th-century and later church built within the earthworks of a Norman motte and bailey castle, with a Victorian church nearby.
 

History to the present day

Edvin Loach is a historic exclave of Worcestershire in the hundred of Doddingtree. It was transferred to the jurisdiction of Herefordshire in 1893. Old Church was built in the mid 1000s or later and was dedicated to St Giles. Later it was re-dedicated to St Mary. A new St Mary's Church was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1860, next to the ruins of the old Church.

The old church of St Mary the Virgin is now a roofless ivy-covered ruin which lies in the churchyard to the east of the present church. It consists of a continuous nave and chancel and a west tower.

The building is particularly interesting on account of the early character of its masonry, but in the absence of any examinable detail it is impossible to assign to its construction a definite date. The nave is of Saxon workmanship and was likely built in the early 11th century, however the tower although almost certainly also of the pre-Conquest era, was a later addition. The east wall was rebuilt at the end of the 12th century, and although a straight joint occurs at its meeting with both the north and south walls of the chancel, they also have both been rebuilt, and are probably contemporary with the east wall.
 

 

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Edvin Loach Old Church, Hertfordshire, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

 

All year
Any reasonable time
Mon - Sun

Admission prices:

Adult:Free
Children:Free
Concession:Free

 

Photographs courtesy of English Heritage Photographic Library.