St Mary's Church, Dymock

The porch, parts of the chancel and north wall date from the original building on this site. The square-set Norman doorway has a simple tympanum showing a boldly carved 'Agnus Dei' (Lamb of God) carved in stone. That lamb, with its right forefoot, holds a Maltese cross instead of the usual flag and faces east. There are only two other similar tympana in Gloucestershire - at Upleaden and at St Mary de Crypt, Gloucester. It's said by some to be of Saxon workmanship and it's possible that it was saved from the old church.

A window in the south wall has some remains of fourteenth century glass showing part of a crucifix and the figures of St. John and St. Mary. The stained glass was not painted as was the later method, but colours were melted into the glass as it was being made.

Restoration and Enlargement

The church was restored in 1859 and a small new aisle added. In 1896, stone was taken from quarries at Hazards Farm (now a ruin) to build the vestry. This stone was the gift of Sir Robert Parry of Highnam Court.
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The copper weathercock blew down some years ago and was found to be over a hundred years old and weighed 16.5 lbs (7.5kg)
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Although Preston belonged to St. Peter's Abbey of Gloucester from Saxon times, it was in the diocese of Hereford until the abbey was dissolved at the Reformation and St. Peter's became the cathedral church of the new diocese of Gloucester. (Return to Top)

Memorials

On the south side of the west end is a memorial to Sir Thomas and lady Anne Hanbury. Sir Thomas was born at Preston and was formerly married to Elizabeth Catsby. Anne was the daughter of Sir Nathanial Powell. The next occupant of Preston Court (the manor house next to the church) was William Pauncefoot,e part of a Newent family. There are several memorials to the Pouncefootes in the chancel and one on the west wall of the side aisle. Next to the door is a plaque to the Poet Laureate, John Masefield, who was baptised here.
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On the north side of the side aisle is a faded memorial to Richard Rich, probably Anne's son. He was known locally as a scholar of some distinction.
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The stained glass window on the west wall is in memory of Robert Churchill who was killed in the war. Preston Court was leased from the church until it was sold in the mid 20th Century.

Preston Court

Preston Court (next to the church) is a very fine Elizabethan Manor. The church and manor of Preston originally belonged to the abbot of St. Peter's Abbey in Gloucester from the reign of Edward I until the reign of Henry VIII, who after the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 took over the abbey and granted it to the Bishop of Gloucester. This grant was again confirmed by Edward VI and in 1552, Stephen Riche occupied Preston Court.
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In 1585, the Manor of Preston was held by Queen Elizabeth and was leased to Fulke Greville Esq for eighty-nine years. He was Treasurer of the Navy and secretary to the Council of the Marches of Wales. In 1604, John Powell lived at Preston Court. He was Fulke Greville's agent in his office of Secretary to the Council. John Powell had several children - Mary who married John Coke, William (1590-1618), Eleanor who married a Mr James and Elizabeth (1598-1619). He died in 1632 and he, together with William and Elizabeth, are buried in the church chancel.
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Next to occupy Preston Court was Anne Robbins. She was the wife of Thomas Rich, Alderman of Gloucester and afterwards the wife of Henry Robbins, Counsellor-at-law. There is a handsome monument to her on the north wall to the right of the door. It shows her head carved in stone with angels on either side and the coat of arm of her own and her husband&'s family above. Below is a long inscription giving a history of her marriages. (Return to Top)