A History of St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye compiled by The Rev John Tarrant (and others) edited MS (2016) Contents Contents ............................................................................................................................................ 2 1. The Church ................................................................................................................................. 7 General Background ............................................................................................................................... 7 St. Mary the Virgin .................................................................................................................................. 8 Ross-on-Wye ........................................................................................................................................... 8 Hereford .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Diocese, Deanery and Benefice .............................................................................................................. 9 Early Beginnings ...................................................................................................................................... 9 2. Nave, Aisles and Baptistry ........................................................................................................ 11 The Nave ................................................................................................................................................11 Remaining indications of the Rood Loft. ..............................................................................................13 Nave Altar ..............................................................................................................................................13 Communion Rails ..................................................................................................................................13 Lectern ...................................................................................................................................................13 Pulpit ......................................................................................................................................................14 Valuable Pews and Free Sittings ...........................................................................................................14 The North Aisle ......................................................................................................................................15 The South Aisle ......................................................................................................................................16 The Rudhale Family ...............................................................................................................................16 The Rudhall Chapel ...............................................................................................................................16 The Baptistry..........................................................................................................................................18 3. The Chancel .............................................................................................................................. 19 Sanctuary ...............................................................................................................................................19 High Altar ...............................................................................................................................................19 4. The Markye Chapel .................................................................................................................. 22 5. The Windows ........................................................................................................................... 24 2 The East Window ..................................................................................................................................24 Chancel Arch Windows .........................................................................................................................25 West Window. .......................................................................................................................................26 South Aisle .............................................................................................................................................26 Markye Chapel ......................................................................................................................................26 Chancel ..................................................................................................................................................27 6. Tower, Spire and Bells .............................................................................................................. 28 The Tower ..............................................................................................................................................28 The Bells .................................................................................................................................................29 Bell Details .............................................................................................................................................29 7. The Organ ................................................................................................................................ 32 The Organ Chamber ..............................................................................................................................32 1826 Organ Appeal ...............................................................................................................................32 The Present Organ ................................................................................................................................33 8. Clergy ....................................................................................................................................... 38 Sources ...................................................................................................................................................38 List of Rectors and Vicars ......................................................................................................................38 Appendix 1 History ...................................................................................................................... 45 Important Dates and Events .................................................................................................................45 1834 - Bishop’s Queries and Replies ....................................................................................................47 The Alterations of 1862 ........................................................................................................................48 Rector’s Report after the Rebuilding of 1878 ......................................................................................50 Appendix 2 War Memorials ......................................................................................................... 52 South African War (brass memorial in the South Aisle) ......................................................................52 World War I 1914-18. ...........................................................................................................................52 World War II 1939-45 ...........................................................................................................................52 The Korean War 1950-53 ......................................................................................................................53 3 Appendix 3 Rudhale Memorials ................................................................................................... 53 The Rudhale Family ...............................................................................................................................53 The Rudhall Chapel ...............................................................................................................................53 1. William Rudhale (died 1530) and his wife Anne (Milborne) ...........................................................55 2. William Rudhale (died 1609) and his wife Margaret (Croft) ...........................................................58 3. Richard Rudhale and others of their children who died in infancy ................................................59 4. John Rudhale (died 1636) and his wife Mary (Pitt) .........................................................................60 5. Colonel William Rudhale (died 1651) ...............................................................................................62 6. Thomas Westfaling (died 1814) ......................................................................................................63 Appendix 4 Other Monuments .................................................................................................... 66 North Aisle .............................................................................................................................................66 William Elliott Price MB MRCS .............................................................................................................66