St.Arilda, Oldbury-on-Severn

The Site

The tumulus on which the church stands is of uncertain date and may have pre-Christian pagan associations. There is an Iron-age settlement in the village half a mile to the north, and Roman coins have been found here in the churchyard. The chancel stands about central on the tumulus, with the tower alongside on the highest ground. Formerly many fine elms grew around the perimeter, but these unfortunately all became victims of the Dutch elm disease.


Dedication

Arilda is a local saint of Saxon times. All that is known of her is recorded by the historian Leland "Saynt Arild Virgin, martired at Kineton ny Thornberye by one Muncius a tiraunt, who cut off hir heade becawse she would not consent to lye with him". She was later buried in the crypt of Gloucester Cathedral where the monks said many miracles were done in her name. The only other church in the country dedicated to her is at Olbury-on-the-Hill, about 15 miles away.



The Church in Oldbury

The Church began as a Free-chapel within the parish of Thornbury, and the first priest was inducted by Bishop Giffard of Worcester in 1283. Free-chapels were independent of the parish churches and had their own endowment, a survey of 1548 had this to say of Oldbury - "Certeyn lands there given .... the rents wherof at sometimes bestowed in finding a prieste, but comonlie in mendynge of highe weys and relevynge poore people." The income from the land was only 14s 9d (74p - 1998) a year, but country priests often supplimented their income by farming glebe-land, William Tyllyn here in 1559 had 2 cows and a sheep to leave in his will.

Most free-chapels were suppressed by Edward VI and their buildings demolished or sold, but Oldbury survived, perhaps the surveyors words "where they use in every poynt as in a parishe church" saved it.

In the turmoil of the Reformation one villager found himself in trouble. John Clement was charged at the Bishop's court "that he usethe not the sacrement of the aultere reverntly but callethe it baggage". He apologised and seems to have got off without punishment.

Sevices were maintained by clergy from Thornbury, and although a survey of benefices in 1650 reported that "Oldbury & Cowhill are fit to be a parish", and it was not until 1863 that parochial status came, and the first Rector, Rev.J.Field was inducted.

The Dean and Chapter of Christ Church, Oxford, as patrons of the living, appointed Rectors until 1976, and since 1984 Oldbury has shared a Priest-in-charge with two neighbouring parishes which may eventually become a united benefice.



The Building

"The Nave and Aisles were originally built in the 13th century. The arcades are rather singular in construction and most interesting, the mouldings are continuous from base to base of each pier without the usual capitals at the springing of the arch, the bases are well elevated and handsome, they are of excellent design and workmanship. The tower was erected in the 15th century". (From a report by F.Waller, Architect).

By 1542 the parishioners were complaining that the chancel was "in suche ruine and decaye that the curate was fayne and compelled to celebrate masse in the bodie of the churche".

The Great Storm of 1703 badly damaged the walls and roof, and the steeple had to be taken down. The estimate for repairs was œ1000, and a nationwide appeal brought money from as far away as Warrington, Norwich and Margate. The steeple was not replaced, but a weathercock dated 1717 was set up on the tower.

In the mid 19th century, the church was once again described as "little more than a ruin", so a thorough restoration was carried out in 1884-5. The chancel screen and high box-pews were removed, and a new roof of Brosely tiles replaced the previous one of lead.

Disaster struck on October 31st 1897, when the whole building, except for the porches, was gutted by fore. The roof and all the furnishings were completely destroyed, even the free-stone arches were so badly damaged that they had to be rebuilt. Most of what you see now is modern, but all is a faithful copy of the old building, even its inaccuracies were repeated: the south arcade is nearly 1 foot higher than the north. Recently, new windows of clear glass replaced the diamond-shaped panes of 1899: they are historically correct, as the ancient church had clear glass in square panes.

As you leave observe the parapet on the north porch, possibly the most splendid you have seen on a village church. On the left-hand side of the porch a consecration cross can still be faintly seen.


Bells

Bigland's "Gloucestershire" mentions the tower containing a bell in 1792, and tells of an earlier "Great Bell named Gabriel" that was sold by a church warden "for his own use". The one which perished in the fire was cast by Mears of Gloucestershire in 1844, the present bell was cast by Llewellin & James of Bristol in 1899, and was a gift of Mr.J.Barnard, father of the Rector at that time.


Font

At sometime the original font had been removed to the churchyard, and later to Thornbury Castle, and replaced by one "in the Grecian style" which was put in the middle aisle. At the restoration of 1885 the original was returned and reinstated, only to be destroyed in the fire 12 years later. The present one is an exact replica made from measurements and photographs. The "Grecian" font was given to the Cathedral of Suva, in the Fiji islands, where it is still in use.


Music

A choir here in 1742 undertook to practice regularly or be fined £2! We do not know what accompaniment they had, if any, but in Victorian times a harmonium was used until 1892, when the first pipe organ was installed, and replaced after the fire by the present one in 1907.


Registers

Two Registers of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1730, are in Gloucester County Record Office, all the others having been burnt in 1897, although some entries for Oldbury are to be found in the Thornbury registers, also in Gloucestershire CRO.


Postscript

We hope that on your visit the weather allowed you the splendid views from the churchyard; there are seats at the best spots for your use. And perhaps thank those conservative parishoners (now long departed) who rejected proposals in 1883 and 1897 to build a new church in the centre of the village.


Taken from a leaflet called "St.Arilda, Oldbury-on-Severn", obtained in 1998 from the church itself.