SK6133 : Church of St Mary, Plumtree
taken 3 years ago, near to Plumtree, Nottinghamshire, England
The church consists of nave with chancel, north and south aisles, south porch and west tower.
There is known to have been a Saxon church on the site, but a claim that it was founded in the 9th century cannot be verified. The arcading in the south side of the tower, and part of the west doorway are thought to be early 11th century. A church is recorded in Domesday, and the main west doorway and the internal tower arch are certainly late 11th century Norman.
The church was rebuilt in the 13th century when aisles were added, and the chancel was rebuilt in the mid 14th century in Decorated style. One window in the south wall, and the sedilia, remain from this period.
The clerestory was added in the 15th century, in Perpendicular style, together with various windows, including the original east window, moved to the north aisle during the late 19th century restoration.
This restoration was carried out between 1873 and 1875 by the well-known Victorian church restorer, George Frederick Bodley with his partner Thomas Garner. The new chancel ceiling and fitting were lavishly decorated, the paintwork being painstakingly restored in the 1980s. The ornate Victorian chandeliers were created by the local blacksmith of nearby Nether Broughton.
The church is Listed Grade I Link
For more information about this church, visit the Southwell & Nottingham Church History Project Link