History in Structure

Parish Church of St Mary

A Grade II* Listed Building in Matching, Essex

St Mary the Virgin by VR6Lee

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The Church of St Mary the Virgin, there is no mention of this church in the Domesday book but a Norman church was probaly built on an old Saxon site. The tower was added in the 15th Century. It is plain, square and embattled and surmounted by a low tiled spire and weather clock. It retains its original 13th Century doorway.
There are 6 bells which were restored in 1990. Originally there were 5 bells in the tower the 6th bell was added in 1887 to celebrate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It is inscribed "God Save the Queen". The 2nd and 3rd bells were originally cast about 1500 by William Culverden of Houndsditch and inscribed "Sancte Thoma ora pro nobis" and "Sancta Anna ora pro nobis". Bells number 4 and 6 are inscribed "God Save the King. 1615" and "God Save the King. 1640" They were both made by Robert Oldfield of Hertford.
The clock was removed from the old church at Epping when the church was pulled down and set up in Matching in memory of Henry Selwin-Ibbetson, 1st Baron Rookwood of Down Hall. On the south wall the first window commemorates the restoration of the church by Henry Selwin-Ibbetson, 1st Baron Rookwood and Lady Selwin-Ibbetson later Lord & Lady Rookwood. The other stained window on the the south wall is dedicated by parishoners and friends to the memory of Sir Henry Selwin-Ibbetson, 1st Baron Rookwood who died on 15th January 1902. The east window, which commemorates Edan, Lady Rookwood of Down Hall are by Powell of Whitefriars.
The Organ is a rare Bevington with pipe work over the console. A brass plaque commemorates the erection of the orgam by Mrs. Calverley of Down Hall in memory of her brother, Sir Frederick Henniker, of 60th Rifles, who died 19th August 1908.
A memorial plaque remembers the American Airmen who lost their lives in World War II when stationed at Matching. They came from the 391st Bombardment Group of the U.S Ninth Air Force.
A World War II airfield, RAF Matching, was located nearby in Matching Green.

Uploaded by VR6Lee on 27 July 2011

Photo ID: 18333
Building ID: 101166182
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