The Church of St Mary the Virgin

The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Old Alresford, dates from the eighteenth century. However, there is much to suggest that the site has been a place of worship for over 1,000 years. Hard evidence is difficult to come by, but several historians tell us that Kinewald, King of the West Saxons in the seventh century, carried out his father's wishes by building a church in Winchester and endowing it with lands for seven miles around. This included the liberty of the manor of Old Alresford, which has been in the gift of the Bishops of Winchester ever since.

Local tradition states that after a successful battle against the Danes (possibly in the tenth century) the Saxons erected a shrine to the Virgin Mary at Old Alresford. There is no evidence to support this story but we do know that at the time of the Domesday census there was a chapel on this site, and the list of rectors dates from the 13th century.

The earliest Register, of marriages, dates from 1539, and with others, is kept at the Hampshire Record Office. Unfortunately there is not a continuous set of Parish registers, but sufficient records exist for us to leam about the Rectors and discover when alterations to the church were made.

One of the most noteworthy Rectors was the Reverend Dr Peter Heylin who was appointed Rector in 1637. He was well educated, a distinguished theologian and historian, and Chaplain to King Charles I and Archbishop Laud. During his stay he made extensive alterations to the Rectory, now the Diocesan Retreat House, including the building of a personal chapel where services were celebrated every day. He provided employment for many local people and was a benefactor to the poor.

However, he was not so popular among the other inhabitants, as following the orders of Archbishop Laud, he "beautified the church and introduced laudian ritual", changing the position of the communion table from the centre of the church to the east end. In 1642, Sir William Waller sent parliamentary troops to arrest him but he escaped to Oxford. In 1646 he was in Winchester before fleeing in disguise when the parliamentarians arrived. His house was stripped and his library dispersed. He spent the next years in Oxfordshire until the Restoration, when he was reinstated to the living at Old Alresford, although by now he was going blind and in poor health. He attended at the Coronation of Charles II in 1661, as sub-dean, but died a year later. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, where his memorial in Latin, which was placed by "his sorrowful wife", tells of "a supporter of the church and the King's majesty".

Records do not include any drawings of the church building at this time, but we do know from the Terrier of 13th November 1695, written by the Reverend Needham that "the chancel is in good repair and to be kept so by the Rector". He also writes of the size and condition of the Rectory and its outbuildings. From entries in the church wardens account books, we know something of the Church's appearance, as in 1696 £2. 5s. 4d.(£2.29) was spent on "white liming the church" and shingles for the roof were purchased regularly. The present building owes its existence to the efforts of Dr John Hoadley who was appointed Rector in 1737. Son of the then Bishop of Winchester, he had been educated at Cambridge, studied Law, and had a reputation as a dramatist and poet. He assisted his brother Ben Hoadley with plays, including "A Suspicious Husband" in which Garrick performed. He himself wrote a play called 'The Housekeeper". His poems are in Dodsley's collection.

The Churchwarden's Reports of 1735, '36 and '38, state that "all is well" with the Church, but in 1752 the report states that the Church is "out of repair to be mended soon". In 1753, it was decided to rebuild the existing Church; the cost as shown in the account books was £284 Is. 5d. met by the Rector, various local landowners and the Bishop of Winchester. There is a note in Dr Hoadley's hand to "see new parish register for details of the rebuilding of the Church". Unfortunately this book has not been traced.

There are more details concerning the tower which was evidently in better condition because it was not until 1768 that it was decided to repair the "roughcast tower". But the surveyor reported "so ruinous a condition no repair possible". On 8th October 1768 a resolution was passed that "an entire new tower be built and the present bells be cast into four". (In fact there are six bells dating from this time).

The tower was rebuilt using bricks from the derelict house at Abbotstone, owned by the Duke of Bolton. The Churchwardens Account book for 2nd July 1769 records that bricks were craned at a cost of3s/6d. (17p) per thousand. Curiously the final cost of £774 5s. lOd. was more than twice that for the body of the Church.

This bill was thought to be "exorbitant" and arbitration was sought for its resolution. One of the benefactors was James Rodney, Churchwarden, brother of Lord Bridges Rodney, the Admiral.

The South Transept		In the south east corner of the chancel is a gilded, Italian statue of the Virgin and child, placed here in memory of Olive Montague Lindersley, Diocesan President of the Mother's Union 1928-1931.
The notorious Lord North, Earl of Guildford, Rector here 1797-1850, erected this memorial sculpted by William Behnes in 1823, in memory of his wife Esther, who was the daughter of the Rector ofBighton.		This coloured marble memorial, sculpted by Sir Henry Cheere, depicting Faith and Hope, was erected by the famous Admiral the Rt Hon Lord Bridges Rodney to his first wife, Jane, his own memorial being added later. Both were interred in a vault nearby, the entrance now lost. "A grateful nation" erected another memorial to the Admiral who died in 1792 which is in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral. Various memorials to other members of the Rodney family are alongside and in the churchyard.
The font		Priest eye view

In 1797 a Rector was appointed who appeared to be more interested in personal wealth than in serving the Church. Bishop North of Winchester appointed his son Francis to the united parishes of Old Alresford, Medstead and New Alresford with an income of £1,410.00 plus the glebes, houses and fees. Six months later he was additionally appointed Rector of St Mary's Southampton, income £2,000.00 where he appointed two curates to look after the parish at an annual salary of £50.00 each. In 1808 he was also appointed Master of St Cross, a position of trust which he abused. Trollope's book "The Warden" is based on the happenings surrounding these events. Some estimates put his income during this time at about £305,000.00 over 50 years. Eventually, after questions in the House of Commons, and an enquiry into his running of the parishes, he resigned the livings in 1850, and resigned as Master of St Cross in 1855 when he had paid moneys outstanding.

In 1850 the living of Old Alresford was divided into three parishes; Medstead, New Alresford and Old Alresford. The new Rector of Old Alresford was the Reverend George Sumner, son of the current Bishop of Winchester, husband of Mary, the founder of the Mother's Union.

The Sumners immediately began changing the Church, and by 1852 had added a Caen stone font which replaced the basin previously used. By 1859 at the expense of Sumner and his friends, a new vestry had been added to the north and to the south a transept had been built; the windows of the Church had been replaced and stone mullions added; and the east window was filled with the present stained glass.

"In thankful remembrance of the life and work of MARY SUMNER Wife of George Henry Sumner Rector of Old Alresford 1851 and Bishop of Guildford 1888 In 1875 with the help of her husband she founded The Mothers' Union as a society to uphold Christian marriage and to sanctify the homes of the people endowed with special gifts of body mind & soul she was enabled by the Grace of God to quicken and inspire with her love & zeal the hearts of many in this great work throughout the world"

Mary Summers own personal prayer All this day Lord Let me touch as many lives as possible for thee: and every life I touch do, thou by thy Spirit quicken; whether through the words I speak, the prayer I breathe, of the life I live Amen

The Sumners were also interested in music, and in 1864 added a pipe organ to replace the clarinet, fiddle and flute. Major works were undertaken in 1870/71 when the stone floor was removed, the gallery and Church refloored and reseated, the vestry completely rebuilt to allow for a chamber for the organ, tiles laid in the nave, and the heating apparatus placed underground.

The Church having been closed for the major alterations, was reopened by Bishop Wiberforce of Winchester on 24th April 1871. Mary Sumner, writing about their time in Old Alresford, remarks on her husband's distress when during the service snoring was heard. The Bishop however, was not concerned as he said he knew about the snoring of owls in the Church tower. During her time in the village, Mary organised a monthly meeting for local women, and from this beginning the Mother's Union grew. The Sumners were concerned for the welfare of the whole family, and in 1878 a Working Men's Reading Room (now a private residence) was built and opened in the village, gifts from the Rector's family making it more comfortable. The Sumner's left in 1885 and in 1888 George Sumner became Bishop of Guildford.

In 1887, the new Rector, Sir F. Larkin Currie Bart., organised the Church's celebrations for Queen Victoria's Jubilee when three hundred and twenty parishioners had dinner followed by sports for the younger members in the Rectory field. In addition, Mr Bulpett, Churchwarden, paid for the clock, which is still in place on the Church tower.

Between 1891/3, the Church interior was changed again; an oak reredos was added, and the east wall above was stencilled. The chancel arch was decorated with two angels, lilies, and a banner with the words "My soul doth magnify the Lord". The vestry was extended to allow for a larger organ chamber, and panelling at the west end of the Church behind the pews was put in place, all paid for by the Rector and Mr F. Christy.

At the beginning of this century, the screen separating the south transept was erected. In 1936 at a special service, the memorial to Mary Sumner was dedicated, and then in 1938, when electric light was installed together with a new heating system, the stencilling on the east wall and chancel arch was painted over.

After the war it was discovered that beetles had been at work damaging the wooden beams in the tower and gallery, so the gallery was removed, the bells taken down and the tower woodwork repaired.

In 1956 the Church was declared to be of "special architectural and historic interest" and is listed Grade II*.

In 1980 the Church ofSt Mary's was united with All Saints Bighton. The most recent changes to the interior are the new Makins organ, placed in the Church in 1990, and the growing number of tapestry kneelers worked by parishioners to record life and local happenings in the village.

CHURCH PLATE
The Church has in its possession some interesting ecclesiastical silver including an Elizabethan chalice, a George I flagon and a Charles II paten, all given in memory of local people. These are kept at the bank.

CHURCH PLAN

On entering the nave turn to face the main door; high on the wall is a plaque giving the date of the rebuilding of the church and to the right isa door which once led to the gallery, removed in 1949 because it had become unsafe.

1. Below the door is a list of Rectors who have served this church. The empty glass case once held a clarinet which had been part of the group of instruments played in the gallery before the Bevington Pipe organ was installed in 1864.

2. On the North wall of the nave there are two marble memorials to members of the Onslow family who built the village school in 1846 and the Almshouses in 1852.

3. The war memorials commemorate the men from the village who gave their lives during the two World Wars.

4. This coloured marble memorial, sculpted by Sir Henry Cheere, depicting Faith and Hope, was erected by the famous Admiral the Rt Hon Lord Bridges Rodney to his first wife, Jane, his own memorial being added later. Both were interred in a vault nearby, the entrance now lost. "A grateful nation" erected another memorial to the Admiral who died in 1792 which is in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral. Various memorials to other members of the Rodney family are alongside and in the churchyard.

5. The Makins Organ was placed in the church in 1990.

6. In the chancel on the north wall near the Altar is a memorial to Anne Davenport, Housekeeper to Dr John Hoadley, the Rector (1737-1776) who was responsible for the rebuilding of the church. Look closely at the face of the dog, "good friend and faithful servant" portraying Anne?

7. In the south east corner of the chancel is a gilded, Italian statue of the Virgin and child, placed here in memory of Olive Montague Lindersley, Diocesan President of the Mother's Union 1928-1931.

8. The oval stone memorial is dedicated to the first wife of the Reverend Needham.

9. This memorial to Sir Francis Lindley, long serving member of the Church Council, gives a brief outline of a life spent in the diplomatic service. He lived and fished locally and was joined by Chamberlain, when pressures of state permitted.

10. The two memorials in the south transept to members of the Perm family, were originally on the south wall of the nave before the south transept was built. Under the terms ofHenry Perm's will, his brother Christopher founded a grammar school in 1698 in New Alresford, and their name is perpetuated in the community school in Alresford today known as Perins.

11. The stained glass window, of undecided age, commemorates the lives of Henry Perin and George Wither.

12. This memorial to Mary Sumner, founder of the Mother's Union, was placed here in 1936. The banner of the Mother's Union was purchased by a collection of "ship half-pennies" in 1954.

13. The notorious Lord North, Earl of Guildford, Rector here 1797-1850, erected this memorial sculpted by William Behnes in 1823, in memory of his wife Esther, who was the daughter of the Rector ofBighton.

14. The Caen stone font was given by the Sumners in 1852. The carved cover was added in 1949, and the pulley system in 1951.

CHURCHYARD
Pause a moment as you leave the Church. In 1774, R. Boyes, a master at Perms Grammar School, in his History of Alresford wrote of "the south having the pond and town of New Alresford in full view and (there being) delightful prospects over villages, meadows andfields". The trees now obliterate the view of the pond and much of the town but the view to the west is still delightful looking over watercress beds and farmland.

The sundial is made of Portland stone and is accurate to 30 seconds of sun time. Using corrections given on the brass plate it is possible to tell the time of day - if the sun shines!

Behind the sundial is the flint wall erected in 1843 at a cost of £6615s. Od. which replaced the post and rail fence. An anonymous donation from a parishioner in 1990 paid for the installation of the floodlighting.

The Schwerdt Mausoleum

To the south is the mausoleum built by Mr Schwerdt on his own land for family burials, which was later incorporated into the churchyard together with the land by the road, at a service of consecration in 1932. An additional piece of land given by the Constable-Maxwell's was dedicated in September 1992.

In 1963 and 1969 many headstones were removed to the perimeter of the churchyard. Several interesting tombs and tombchests remain; of particular interest are those of the Perm family in a line by the south wall of the Church, and behind the Church those of the Rodney family. Nearby is the stone slab of the Reverend Needham, Rector, and his wife, dated 1727. Beside this is the headstone dedicated toAnne Davenport (see Church plan no.6).

Further along the wall, near the south east corner of the churchyard is the pink marble memorial to Mr Christy, a local benefactor, who had the lych gate built of old ship oak in 1893 in memory of his wife at a cost of £1612s. lid. At his death the Christy Memorial Hall was built beside the village green for the use of the Parish.

The churchyard is still in use and is also a sanctuary for glo-worms and many wild flowers.

BELLS
In the book "History of Alresford" by A. J. Robinson, it is stated that the old Church had a ring of four bells, on one of which there was a motto difficult to read but said to be:

"Sum Rosa pulsata mundi Maria Vocata"

and on another a date said to be in the ninth century. In 1771 it is written in the churchwardens log book that "the present bells three cast into four and another added to make a ring of five". The inscription in the tower shows that six bells were hung between 1769/70 and they came from the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London.

In 1948 an attack by beetle had weakened the wooden beams and the bells were removed to the chamber floor until funds enabled restoration and their re-dedication on 28th January 1956 by the Bishop of Winchester.

Fifteen hand bells made in about 1910 were purchased in 1959 for £40. In 1981 there were nineteen bells overhauled by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and a further two added making the present set of twenty one hand bells.

BURIAL LIST FOR ST MARY's CHURCH
BACK TO OLD ALRESFORD