Westwell - St Mary's Church

About

Westwell's church offers pleasures out of all proportion to its size - a picturesques setting overlooking the spring which gave the village its name, some delightful touchs and a refreshing simplicity overall.


The church is small and simple, with Early English and Victorian additions to the original Norman building. The Norman south doorway has a sundial scored into the stone of the area under the arch (the tympanum). Originally this would have been the outer door and, facing south,this “mass clock” used to indicate the times of services before the days of watches and clocks. Inside there is a fine Early English font of c 1200 and an unusual circular rose window.


The church also houses two charming, rustic monuments: a 17th century wall monument to the Trinder family complete with the parents and all their fourteen children as primitive doll like figures; and a stone effigy to Richard Thorneton (rector 1599 - 1614) - he lies with his head resting on a bible and hands clasping a prayer book. It looks like the rustic sculptor was short of space with the chest tomb partially buried into the corner of the chancel and the dumpy figure of the rector.


As you leave the church note the range of chest and bale tombs in the churchyard. Bale tombs are peculiar to the Windrush valley and south to Cricklade.