St Mary the Virgin
Berkeley, Gloucestershire
A unique 13th century church with restored wall paintings and separate bell tower.
A church is mentioned in Lydney in 852. The present church of St Mary’s was founded in the 12th century and is a Grade I Listed Building, built to serve a wide area on the south side of the Forest of Dean. The earliest parts of the existing building are 13th century, when the lower stages of the tower, aisled nave and chancel were constructed. The tower and the stone spire were added in the early 14th century, followed by a north chantry chapel.
Sir William Winter had the north chapel rebuilt in the 16th century as his private family chapel, later used by the Bathurst Family. The church was damaged by fire in the civil war with the current wagon roofs to the nave and aisles being constructed after that date. In 1896, a portion of the spire was blown down, and was rebuilt.