The Churches Conservation Trust

The Churches Conservation Trust is the Historic churches, due to their age, often national charity protecting historic churches have uneven and worn floors. Please take Church of St John at risk. care, especially in wet weather when floors and steps can be slippery. We have saved over 340 beautiful buildings which attract more than a million visitors a the Baptist year. With our help and with your support Help us do more they are kept open and in use – living once , again at the heart of their communities. To protect these churches, and others like These churches are scattered widely them, we need your help. If you enjoy your through the length and breadth of , visit please give generously, using a Gift Aid in town and country, ranging from ancient, envelope in the church you visit, see our rustic buildings to others of great richness website www.visitchurches.org.uk about and splendour; each tells a unique story of becoming a Supporter, or contact our people and place. All are worth visiting. fundraising team on 020 7213 0673. Many churches are open all year round, others have a keyholder nearby. Keyholder Nearby are the Trust Churches of churches are easy to access – simply follow St Mary Magdalene, Croome d’Abitot instructions displayed at the church or call 4 miles W of off A38 and A4104 the Trust on 020 7213 0660 during office St Lawrence, hours Monday – Friday. In town centre We strongly recommend checking our Pendock Old Church website www.visitchurches.org.uk for the 5 milesWof off A438 most up to date opening and access details, St Swithun,Worcester directions and interactive maps. Church Street, off High Street, in city centre We warmly welcome visitors and we hope this guidebook will encourage you to explore Photographs by David Bagley and these wonderful buildings. © Crown copyright. NMR.

1 West Smithfield EC1A 9EE Tel: 020 7213 0660 Fax: 020 7213 0678 Email: [email protected] £1.00 www.visitchurches.org.uk Registered Charity No. 258612 Spring 2010 © The Churches Conservation Trust 2010 Strensham, Worcestershire Church of St John the Baptist, Strensham | 3 Church of St John the Baptist by John Comins who has been engaged for many years with the National Trust and other landscape and architectural conservation groups, and is a keen researcher in local history

Introduction The village of Strensham the destruction of the castle. This house was demolished in 1824 to make way for the The church of St John the Baptist stands on The name Strensham is derived from the classical villa built to the design of George a ridge looking eastwards over the River Avon Streongham meaning ‘strong Maddox for the Taylor family and stood in a towards the great mass of Hill and village’ – ‘ham’ being a common word for a well-wooded park with fine views over the westwards to the . It is now village. lake to the Malvern Hills. After the Second alone, except for the former rectory and two The manor of Strensham was owned, World War Strensham Court became derelict; modern houses, one of which is converted according to the Victoria County History , its demolition following a fire in November from the old school room. The present by Pershore Abbey in the 9th century, being 1974 is much to be regretted. However, village lies some distance away, wholly granted in the 11th century to Westminster some good domestic buildings remain, separate and much disturbed by the Abbey. This manor became known as Nether principally the 18th-century Moat Farm in nearby motorway. It was not always so. (Lower) Strensham. Later it passed through the style of William III, and the almshouses Until its destruction in the civil wars of the various lay hands until in 1298 it was sold to founded by Sir Francis Russell in 1697. 17th century, Strensham Castle lay only James Russell. A second manor – Over By 1795 the Worcestershire historian 500 yards (460m) to the west, and (Upper) Strensham – was also owned in Dr Treadway Nash, author of Collections for archaeological excavations have shown medieval times by Westminster Abbey. a History of Worcestershire published in 1781, that the land between it and the church was After several changes in ownership it was had acquired the manors of Upper and filled with buildings up to the end of the acquired by the Russells in the early 17th Lower Strensham partly through purchase 14th century, when the settlement seems to century, thus uniting the two manors. The and partly through the marriage of his brother have been abandoned. last male Russell died in 1705 after which the Dr Richard Nash, to Frances Ravenhill, Strensham was the seat of the Russell manors passed to other members of the granddaughter of Sir Francis Russell. family from the late 13th century up to the family before being sold in 1817 to John Taylor, A decline in the size of congregations and death of the last direct descendant some five a Birmingham banker. the impossibility of funding the necessary hundred years later. The Russells, as befitted The Russells’ occupation of Strensham repairs led to the church being declared their position as one of Worcestershire’s was centred around their castle or fortified redundant, followed by its vesting in The leading families, left notable memorials which manor house, for which a licence to crenellate Churches Conservation Trust in August 1991. lift Strensham out of the common run of or fortify was granted in 1388. Since then the Trust has initiated an extensive parish churches. A print published in Nash’s Worcestershire programme of repairs, including re-rendering shows the manor house of Upper Strensham and limewashing the exterior walls of the to have been a Jacobean building with church, retiling the roofs, repairs to the The tower from the south Georgian additions; it may have become the panelling and pews and conservation of the Russells’ principal seat in the village before monuments and cleaning of the hatchments. 4 | Church of St John the Baptist, Strensham Church of St John the Baptist, Strensham | 5

A team of local bell-ringers carries out heavy fine and his castle was razed, and secular building in the district. The recent struck by the coloured floor tiles, the range of maintenance work on the bells, which are ‘notwithstanding which’ (comments Nash) programme of conservation has retained, 16th-century pews, the painted panels of the used regularly to train people in the art of ‘when the Order of the Royal Oak was where this has been possible, or replaced a gallery and the chancel packed almost to change ringing. intended to be instituted his estate was large proportion of the original lime rendering overflowing with monuments and brasses. valued at £3000 per annum’. The last male which has always protected this soft stone, Russell, Sir Francis, died in 1705 leaving but a full record of the structural elements Furnishings three daughters. With the death of his has been made. The pews on both sides are of linenfold design, The Russells granddaughter in 1774 the connection of the On the south side of the churchyard may about 1540, and appear to be unaltered with family with Strensham was finally broken. be seen the base and socket of a medieval the exception of a large family pew on the Although their influence rarely extended to stone cross. south side of the nave, most likely the Russell the national stage, the Russells’ long years of pew erected in the early 17th century. ownership of Strensham and much other Interior Prominent on the chancel wall are a large property gave them lasting status in the The church The interior, well lit by the six windows, is royal coat of arms of George III (early 19th county. handsomely proportioned with its broad nave century) and two mid-19th century funeral James Russell is recorded as having set off by the whitewashed barrel roof and hatchments commemorating John and purchased the manor of (Nether) Strensham Exterior massive tie beams, one of which has an angel James Taylor. in 1298, presumably the same James Russell The church consists of a west tower, nave poised to fly and carrying a shield of arms of The stained glass is mainly late 19th century who was, according to Nash, given licence to without aisles, chancel and a small early- Russell and Lytton. The eye is immediately and early 20th century with some Georgian build an oratory in 1272. The first tangible 19th-century vestry on the north. record of the family is the brass memorial in The earliest parts of the building, the nave Pulpit the church to Sir Robert Russell, who died in and the chancel, appear to date from the 1390. His son, Sir John, was Master of the 14th century, with the tower being added Vestry Horse to Richard II. later in the same century. There is evidence Pews Pews There followed a succession of Russell of much rebuilding over the years, affecting knights and baronets, prominent in local the chancel in particular. New windows were Tower Gallery over Nave Chancel affairs during the 16th and 17th centuries. inserted in the nave in the 15th century. Font Most notable was Sir William, created a The east wall of the chancel is supported by Pew Pews baronet in 1634 and a prominent supporter no less than three buttresses, doubtless a Pews of Charles I. As Royalist governor of Worcester strengthening required by the proximity of he attracted severe treatment from his the steep river bank. Porch opponents and was one time sentenced to The main material used was grey lias rubble Reproduced by kind permission of Rodney Melville death. Though pardoned, he suffered a stone, characteristic of so much ecclesiastical & Partners, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire 6 | Church of St John the Baptist, Strensham Church of St John the Baptist, Strensham | 7

Interior looking west showing the gallery and painted gallery screen

painted glass in the west (tower) window The font, now placed almost under the including the Dove Descending and the gallery, is a stone basin on a circular support. Taylor shield of arms. The east window is The design is Norman although the stone particularly beautiful. Given in memory of looks scraped and recut. A circular cut in the James Arthur Taylor, it depicts the Good stone floor in front of the north door indicates Shepherd (Cox, Son and Buckley, 1890). that the font was once placed there. The south chancel window is a delightfully colourful representation of The Good The bells Samaritan. Made by Florence Camm for The ring is of six bells. Five came from the Thomas William Camm of Smethwick, it was famous Gloucester foundry of Abraham given in memory of Arthur James Taylor, 1917. Rudhall in 1704–05, the tenor being The easternmost nave window on the south inscribed SR FRAN RUSSELL KT & BART, & side is by Curtis, Ward and Hughes (1903). HIS HOND LADY BENEFACTORS AR 1705. Depicting the Ascension, it was given in Two of the bells were recast and a sixth bell memory of Maria Theresa Taylor (d.1893). added by John Taylor of Loughborough in Floor tiles 15th-century rood screen which may have During conservation work in 1994, which 1911. The oak bell-frame dates largely from The red and yellow floor tiles date from the originally separated the nave from the involved the temporary removal of several of the 17th century and incorporates medieval 15th century, and the patterns include birds, chancel and sanctuary. Outside East Anglia the wall monuments in the chancel and timbers. An interesting note on the role of shields, flowers, crests and foliage. Amongst and the West Country, examples of painted nave, remains of three, possibly four, layers the patron and parishioners is provided by the arms identified are those of Berkeley, rood screens are hard to find and the panels of wall paintings were revealed. The earliest an inventory of 1552: Beauchamp, Edward the Confessor, of the Strensham screen are unique in were medieval in date: those in the chancel Gloucester Abbey, St John and John Worcestershire. It is, of course, possible that ‘There was abowte x yeres passed iij smale included a framed picture of buildings and Carpenter Bishop of Worcester. the screen did not originate in Strensham belles hangyng in the steple solde with the part of an inscription. The paintings were but was imported from elsewhere. Certainly whole assent of the parecheners and the carefully consolidated before being hidden The gallery it is hard to reconcile its present dimensions money therof implowyd to make seattes and again when the monuments were replaced. The destruction of so much of the furnishing with those of the chancel. pues in the churche and to repare the Further discoveries made in 2009, when the and decoration of the late medieval church At the centre of the screen is a churche. Therbe iij bells hangyng in the walls were being prepared for redecoration, stepull wyche Sir John Russell Knyght of late at the time of the Reformation makes it representation of Christ flanked by apostles suggest that much of the interior of the bowght to his owne use of the Kyngs maiestie difficult now to recognise the colour and and sundry prelates and saints. The emblems church was once covered with wall paintings. decessd wiche were perteynyng to the late richness that has been lost. accompanying the saints, no doubt familiar The plain communion table, pulpit and dessolvyd Abbey of Borseley wiche bells ye The west gallery, however, affords a small to medieval congregations, are often the attached reading table date from the late same Sir John Russell ys yet indetted for and insight into this vanished world. Incorporated best means of identification. 17th century. be the goods of the same Sir John Russell’. into the gallery are the remains of a 8 | Church of St John the Baptist, Strensham Church of St John the Baptist, Strensham | 9

Detail of the painted gallery screen

Reading from south to north, the panels St Laurence with gridiron; from the old rood screen. The two further Monuments represent: St Stephen with stones; oak posts were introduced during repair Although there were times during their long St Antony with pig. work in 1995 to provide additional support period of prosperity and influence when the An archbishop with pallium and cross; for the gallery. Steps at the northern end Russells owned larger properties, it was here St John the Baptist with lamb, book and The report of the Birmingham Archaeological lead to the narrow upper floor, with benches that the most distinguished of them were knobbed cross; Society for 1875 contains a reference to a for the congregation and musicians, complete returned for burial. St Blaise (patron saint of woolcombers) visit here: with candleholders. The single manual The memorials present a remarkable with wool, comb and staff; ‘positive’ pipe organ was built by Thomas example of the changes in style and fashion ‘The visitors had fondly imagined that they St Edmund with arrow. (The 9th-century Casson in the late 19th century. It was over four centuries, each reflecting accurately, were about to see a church which had Saxon king was martyred by Vikings); originally blown by two foot pedals like a if unconsciously, the sentiments of their time. entirely escaped restoration and if the visit An archbishop; harmonium, subsequently replaced by an had been paid but a few weeks sooner they A saint, possibly St James the Less or electric blower. The west wall at the back is Ⅲ Sir Robert Russell, d.1390: the first of the would not have been disappointed, for then St Simon; decorated with large 18th-century panels two fine brasses on the chancel floor. one of the greatest attractions of the church St Philip with tall cross; containing the Apostles’ Creed, Lord’s A knight in armour with the conventional consisted of a long row of paintings of the St Thomas with carpenter’s square; Prayer and Ten Commandments. design of the feet resting on a lion. The apostles and saints which filled the oak inscription refers to Robert being the son St Andrew with cross; panels of the gallery, but to the great of Thomas, sometime lord of the manor St John the Evangelist with quill and disgust of everyone it was found that an of Strensham. chalice from which a small devil is artist, who had been painting a portrait in emerging; the neighbourhood, had been so much St Peter with keys; interested in the unique series of well Christ; preserved paintings, that he volunteered to St Paul with sword; touch them up generally and restore them. St James the Great with pilgrim’s staff, hat This had been done and the pictures as and badge; works of the fifteenth century rendered St Bartholomew (patron saint of tanners) absolutely useless. If the zealous artist had with flaying knife; been present, and his absence was very St Jude with oar; much regretted, he would have had a very A saint with book, possibly St Matthew; bad half an hour’. St Mathias with halberd; An archbishop; The gallery itself is set upon two stout St Erasmus (patron saint of sailors) with wooden piers carved extensively with vine spit or windlass; leaves and flowers, possibly again deriving 10 | Church of St John the Baptist, Strensham Church of St John the Baptist, Strensham | 11

Brass of Robert (d.1502) and Elizabeth Russell on north wall of chancel

Ⅲ Sir John Russell, d.1405: the second large century and that of his son, Sir Thomas, is Lady Guise, whose eminent piety, chancel brass in similar style. The Gothic breathtaking. The small scale and stylistic extensive charity and true Conjugal arch surrounding the figure, although restraint are swept away and replaced by a Affection and Fidelity with many other mutilated, is richly carved. Both brasses lie fine flamboyant example of Jacobean Excellent Endowments Shewed how well on slabs of Purbeck stone. baroque. The modelling of the recumbent she inherited ye Virtues of her Ancestors figures is of a very high quality. In a and how much She adorned them; Her After a gap of almost a century the fashion reference to the earlier tombs Sir Thomas’ generous Mind inspiring her still with changes to smaller figures, with wives and feet rest on a richly carved lion. Even after Desires of doing good as her plentiful children included. 300 years enough paint and gilt remain to fortune gave her great Opportunities of show how brightly the monument must doing it’. Ⅲ Robert Russell, d.1502 and his wife originally have glittered. Indeed the state of Ⅲ Sir Charles Trubshaw Withers, d.1804: a Elizabeth Baynham: a small brass on the repair is excellent and the accompanying small richly-coloured plaque of Sienna north wall of the chancel to the west of the carvings of globes, floral columns, coats marble which owes its place in the ‘Russell’ tomb chest. In his will of June 1502 he of arms and skulls repay the closest chancel to the fact that his wife, Frances, asked to be buried ‘besids the bodis of my inspection. The inscription tells little of with life-size, fully modelled figures of was the last lineal descendant of the fader and moder’. The coats of arms and Sir Thomas and his wife but gives full Sir Francis and his wife Anne, by Edward family. effigies of his five daughters, which once details of the connections of his two sons, Stanton. The free form and general accompanied the brass, have long since and his three daughters married to sons of urbanity of the design signal the age of disappeared. the local squirearchy. enlightenment. Perhaps reflecting the fact There are no less than 11 other memorials in that there were no male heirs, the the nave, three of them to members of the Ⅲ Sir John Russell, d.1556 and his wife Dame Ⅲ Sir William Russell, Bart, d.1669 and inscription refers to the 400 years of Taylor family, who owned the village for Edith Unton, d.1562: a small brass plate Frances his wife: on the north chancel wall association between the Russells and mounted on the east wall within a canopy above the tomb chest. A plain roundel and Strensham. Sir Francis’ virtues are much of the 19th century. In such a royalist of stone. On it are the kneeling figures of short inscription form the surprisingly rehearsed in no less than 13 lines of text. ambience, it is entirely appropriate that a Sir John in tabard and armour, together modest memorial to one of the most tablet commemorating Samuel Butler, the Ⅲ Anne Lady Guise, d.1734: The largest of with his wife and only son Thomas, also famous Russells. The cost of his father’s satirist of puritan attitudes, should have the chancel tombs, requiring part of the armoured. Above them are three shields, tomb and the exactions of the Civil War been erected. Butler, author of Hudibras , ceiling to be removed for its insertion. the middle one with a fully detailed coat of may have influenced the design. was born in Strensham in 1612, the son of a arms. The inscription records his death in The scale was perhaps not ill-fitting for the An innovation is the laudatory sentiments prosperous farmer in the village. the third and fourth years of King Phillip expressed about the deceased, a feature eldest daughter of the last male Russell. and Queen Mary. which was greatly expanded in later The baroque complexities have been The Registers date from 1569 and are now memorials. replaced by a more classical design, the Ⅲ Sir Thomas Russell, d.1632 and Elizabeth effect of which emanates from its clear kept in the County Record Office, Worcester. Spencer his wife, d.1618: on the south wall Ⅲ Sir Francis Russell, Bart, d.1705: a return cool lines and the contrast between the of the chancel. The contrast between to the large-scale memorial and a superb two colours of marble. The eulogistic Sir John’s memorial of the mid-16th example of the late restoration style inscription reads ‘To Anne Russell,