Churches of the British Isles

The frequent discovery of bones, nails, and pieces of old coffins on the site during the early part of the nineteenth century seems to show that it had at some time possessed the right of burial. After it was pulled down the inhabitants of Luddington were assigned pews in Holy Trinity, Stratford, though they later attended All Saints, Weston-on-Avon, on the opposite bank of the river. The present church at Luddington was erected on a different site in 1872.

St Helen, Clifford Chambers, rests at the eastern end of a cul-de-sac, almost opposite Rainsford Close. There was a priest at Clifford Chambers in 1086, and the parish church was presumably included in Roger de Busli's gift to Gloucester Abbey, which was confirmed by the pope in 1200. The parish priest was described as rector in the thirteenth century. The old church was rebuilt in the mid-twelfth century with chancel and nave, in rubble with a Cotswold stone roof.

After the Dissolution, the Crown retained the patronage in 1562 when the manor was granted away. The two-stage west tower was probably added in the fourteenth century. The church was heavily restored in 1886, and this is possibly when the twelfth century north door was blocked, as was a plain chancel arch. By the 1950s, the churchyard had become so full that part of the rectory orchard had to be taken over for new internments.

Three photos on this page kindly contributed by Aidan McRae Thomson, and one by Douglas Law via the 'History Files: Churches of the British Isles' Flickr group.