St. Mary and All Saints Church, Haselor

Description

St Mary and All Saints is over 1,000 years old and is believed to have been founded in 1023.The original Saxon church was probably wooden but no trace of it exists today. The present building is dated after the Conquest.

The church sits at the top of a hill between the villages of Haselor and Walcote, well away from the road and any housing. It can only be approached on foot, but the steep climb is rewarded by some magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.

There is a calming stillness in the church, and time passes quickly when sitting in the pews and letting ones mind wander.

On entering the church, a Norman font can be seen on the left. On the right is a pipe organ built by Mr Thomas Hewins, of Stratford-upon-Avon in 1868 at a cost of £150. The organ is still used regularly but is showing its age and is now in need of renovation. The stained-glass east window was presented to the church by the Squire of Bentley Manor, Mrs Maud Cheape, in 1893 in loving memory of her father, Richard Hemming.

A Mortuary Chapel was built in the north wall, immediately opposite the entrance to the Church, as part of the overall repairs and renovations carried out in the mid 19th century. Its original purpose was to provide a resting place for the dead instead of keeping them waiting for the funeral in small overcrowded cottages. Reverend Cornelius Griffin’s coffin waited here for fifteen years until he died and was buried secretly in the vault beneath in 1867. Griffin’s wish was to be buried inside the church but this practice was banned in 1853. The coffin was instead interred from the outside as can be seen from an engraved stone in the wall. The chapel is now called the Griffin Memorial. It is not known if it was ever used for its original purpose.

Standard opening times
The church is always open. Services are held at 9.00am on the first and third Sunday in the always Holy Communion.
Special services are held on Festival Days – Plough Sunday, Rogation, Easter Day, Lammas, Harvest and Christmas Day. There is also a Crib Service and Carol Service during Advent.
Further information about services can be found on the St Mary & All Saints page of the Alcester Minster website (www.alcesterminster.org/church-locations).

Location

Haselor, Nr Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 6LZ, United Kingdom

Directions

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By car: From Alcester
Starting at the Globe island in the centre of Alcester, take the Stratford Road. After about a mile, turn left towards Haselor. Drive through Haselor and into Walcote. Park on the verge before reaching the Walcote sign. Cross the road and enter the gate on the right and follow the path up the hill to the church. The path is tarmacked and is about 1/5 mile long. It rises 12 metres.
Alternatively, turn right in Haselor and park by the stocks on the left. Go through the gate and follow the path up the hill to the church. The path is tarmacked and is about ¼ mile long. It rises 17 metres. Please note that there may be cattle or sheep in the field so dogs must be kept on a lead.
By car: From Stratford-upon-Avon
Take the A46 towards Alcester at the A46/Alcester Road island. After about 3 miles turn right towards Haselor, enter the village and park by the stocks on the right. Go through the gate and follow the path up the hill to the church. Please note that there may be cattle or sheep in the field so dogs must be kept on a lead.
Alternatively, continue through Haselor and turn right at the cross roads, continue to Walcote and park on the verge before reaching the Walcote sign. Cross the road and enter the gate on the right and follow the path up the hill to the church.
By public transport:
Take the #26 bus operated by Stagecoach Midlands from Stratford-upon-Avon or Redditch. Get off in Haselor and walk East along the same road towards Walcote. It is about a 10 minute walk. On reaching The Old Vicarage, enter the gate on the right of the road and follow the path up the hill to the church.
On foot:
The footpath to the church links Haselor to Walcote and is a part of the Arden Way

Facilities

The path to the church is suitable for wheelchairs but there is a shallow step into the porch. Both doors to the church can be opened for easy access.
There are no toilet facilities.
There are superb views of local farmland and wooded areas from the church's hill top location. The well maintained churchyard has some bench seating and it is a perfect spot to sit quietly and enjoy the wonders of nature.

Suitable for quiet days for individuals or groups, and the Hospitaller can be available when required

Hospitaller/Contact Person

Martyn Davey

Mob: 07751035066

Email:

Web Link

https://www.alcesterminster.org/church-locations/has...

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