Church of St Mary, Ovingham (Ovingham)
Church of St Mary, Ovingham. Photo by Harry Rowland.
[NZ 08506371] Church [TU]. (1)
St Mary's church has a late Saxon west tower. The remainder is mainly 13th century with some 19th century rebuilding. In October 1945, and February 1946, portions of two pre-Conquest cross-shafts were found; one 'in the bottom course of a retaining wall at the entrance to the boiler house', and the other 'in the ringing-chamber of the tower'. (3) They are displayed in the south porch, and below the pulpit respectively. (2-3)
In normal use. Cross fragments correctly described. (4)
Parish church. 11th century tower. South doorway late 12th century. The rest of the church mainly 13th century, restored 1857. Dressed stone and Welsh slate roof. (For full description see list). (5)
A tetracephalos lies in Ovingham church. Four faces have been carved onto a stone which at one time lay outside the church but which was brought inside early in the 20th century. Its origin is unknown, but may have come to the churchyard from Spital Farm with a load of rubble for repair purposes. Supposed local and native piece dating to the Roman period. Two, three and four-faced heads carved on stone blocks are known throughout the Celtic world; the style of the features can be paralleled by other examples from North Britain. (6)
The unbuttressed tower is the tallest of the late Saxon towers of the Tyne valley. Two fragments of Anglo-Saxon sculpture, both dating to the pre-Conquest period. (7)
Two cross-shaft fragments inside Ovingham church:
i) upper part of cross-shaft, measures 0.39m x 0.29m-0.27m x 0.20m-0.19m. Worn and damaged. The faces are surrounded by thick double roll mouldings. Figures depicted on two faces of the shaft. The figure style of the cross has links with Anglo-Scandinavian sculptures of the area between Durham and the Tees. Possible that both Christian and Scandinavian mythologies were present. Late 10th to early 11th century.
ii) part of cross-shaft, found in 1946. Measures 0.33m x 0.23m x 0.17m. Broken and very worn. The shaft is edged by a single roll moulding. Simple interlace on three faces. Mid-10th to early 11th century. (8)
The church has one of the finest of the simple Northumbrian Anglo-Saxon towers. Five stages. Sizeable windows only appear in the top stage - double belfry openings, outlined in strip work, with arched lintels and mid-wall balusters. Simple circular openings above the belfry lights. No west door, giving the tower a stark appearance. Some re-used Roman stone in tower. The west wall of nave is probably Saxon as it is bonded to the east tower wall. The upper parts of the nave walls, above the Early English arcades may also be Saxon. (9)
Ovingham. Anglo-Saxon church tower. Some Roman stones. Five stages. No external entrance in ground stage. Tower arch modern. The only Saxon opening is a window in south wall with arched lintel. Second stage window in west wall, and east wall opening.; no opening in third stage; fourth stage window in south wall; fifth stage - belfry. (10)
The outer wall of the perimeter drain around the church was taken down and renewed in January and February 2000, with various lengths of new drain installed. The watching brief was carried out partly by Peter Ryder and partly by The Archaeological Practice. The existing brick wall was removed and a new foundation cut. This lay about 50mm beneath the concrete base of the existing drain and extended back about 0.3m into previously undisturbed ground. In some areas of the drain, repeated burial had destroyed all archaeological features and deposits. It was not possible to excavate or record the burials, although a large proportion had already been disturbed at least once; all human remains were reinterred.
Areas of particular archaeological interest were the north wall of the aisle, east side of the north transept, north side of the chancel, east end of the chancel, south side of the chancel, south transept and south porch. The drainage trench exposed clear structural remains of a wall running parallel to the present north aisle, and of a second running on virtually the same alignment running east from the north transept. A robber trench appeared to indicate a third wall extending north from the north wall of the chancel. No dating evidence was found for any of these walls.
The excavated evidence cannot be taken as confirmation of the dowsed plans, despite initial appearances to the contrary. Whilst some correlate approximately with dowsed foundatoin lines, all seem likely to post-date, by some centuries, the postulated triple-apsed Saxon church.
A medieval grave slab was found in a shallow drainage trench excavated around the south-west corner of the church. It lay face up and was about 0.6m west of the south-west corner of the porch; it was left in situ. It was carved with one or two pairs of shears and is probably 12th or 13th century date. (11)
Church includes a pair of war memorials as:
* roll of honour for World Wars 1 and 2 within frame inscribed "FATHER IN THY GRACIOUS KEEPING / LEAVE WE NOW THY SERVANTS SLEEPING".
* framed picture of the Virgin Mary with a dedicatory plaque stating "IN GRATEFUL AND LOVING MEMORY / OF THE MEMBERS AND CHOIR / WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ (NAMES) / AND IN REMEMBRANCE OF / THE COURAGE AND PATIENCE OF / THE WOMEN OF THE PARISH / 1914-1918. / WE PRAISE THEE, O GOD".
* a brass plaque "TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF / ALGERNON CAREY BLACKETT, LIEUT: S.A.C. / YOUNGEST SON OF THE LATE / EDWARD ALGERNON BLACKETT OF WYLAM. / KILLED IN ACTION AT VON TONDERS HOCK, TRANSVAAL, S.A. / WHILST GALLANTLY LEADING HIS MEN, / 8TH FEBRUARY 1902. / AGED 28 YEARS. / HE TRIED TO DO HIS DUTY".
* a brass plaque inscribed "TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF / PTE. J.F.TURNER, 26 BATT. N.F. / WHO FELL IN ACTION 9 NOVEMBER 1917 / AND WAS BURIED IN FRANCE. / THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED BY HIS / FATHER, MOTHER AND SISTER".
* a wall-mounted brass plaque inscribed TO THE MEMORY OF / FRANK ISMAY GILCHRIST / 48TH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA / FIRST CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY / OVERSEAS FORCE, / BORN AT WELLBURN IN THIS PARISH, / KILLED IN ACTION AT ST JULIEN / APRIL 24TH 1915. / THEY SHALL GROW NOT OLD AS WE / THAT ARE LEFT GROW OLD / AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM NOR THE / YEARS CONDEMN / AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND / IN THE MORNING / WE WILL REMEMBER THEM". (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)
Listed. (17)
General association with HER 8722 (Hexham Priory). (17)
St Mary's church has a late Saxon west tower. The remainder is mainly 13th century with some 19th century rebuilding. In October 1945, and February 1946, portions of two pre-Conquest cross-shafts were found; one 'in the bottom course of a retaining wall at the entrance to the boiler house', and the other 'in the ringing-chamber of the tower'. (3) They are displayed in the south porch, and below the pulpit respectively. (2-3)
In normal use. Cross fragments correctly described. (4)
Parish church. 11th century tower. South doorway late 12th century. The rest of the church mainly 13th century, restored 1857. Dressed stone and Welsh slate roof. (For full description see list). (5)
A tetracephalos lies in Ovingham church. Four faces have been carved onto a stone which at one time lay outside the church but which was brought inside early in the 20th century. Its origin is unknown, but may have come to the churchyard from Spital Farm with a load of rubble for repair purposes. Supposed local and native piece dating to the Roman period. Two, three and four-faced heads carved on stone blocks are known throughout the Celtic world; the style of the features can be paralleled by other examples from North Britain. (6)
The unbuttressed tower is the tallest of the late Saxon towers of the Tyne valley. Two fragments of Anglo-Saxon sculpture, both dating to the pre-Conquest period. (7)
Two cross-shaft fragments inside Ovingham church:
i) upper part of cross-shaft, measures 0.39m x 0.29m-0.27m x 0.20m-0.19m. Worn and damaged. The faces are surrounded by thick double roll mouldings. Figures depicted on two faces of the shaft. The figure style of the cross has links with Anglo-Scandinavian sculptures of the area between Durham and the Tees. Possible that both Christian and Scandinavian mythologies were present. Late 10th to early 11th century.
ii) part of cross-shaft, found in 1946. Measures 0.33m x 0.23m x 0.17m. Broken and very worn. The shaft is edged by a single roll moulding. Simple interlace on three faces. Mid-10th to early 11th century. (8)
The church has one of the finest of the simple Northumbrian Anglo-Saxon towers. Five stages. Sizeable windows only appear in the top stage - double belfry openings, outlined in strip work, with arched lintels and mid-wall balusters. Simple circular openings above the belfry lights. No west door, giving the tower a stark appearance. Some re-used Roman stone in tower. The west wall of nave is probably Saxon as it is bonded to the east tower wall. The upper parts of the nave walls, above the Early English arcades may also be Saxon. (9)
Ovingham. Anglo-Saxon church tower. Some Roman stones. Five stages. No external entrance in ground stage. Tower arch modern. The only Saxon opening is a window in south wall with arched lintel. Second stage window in west wall, and east wall opening.; no opening in third stage; fourth stage window in south wall; fifth stage - belfry. (10)
The outer wall of the perimeter drain around the church was taken down and renewed in January and February 2000, with various lengths of new drain installed. The watching brief was carried out partly by Peter Ryder and partly by The Archaeological Practice. The existing brick wall was removed and a new foundation cut. This lay about 50mm beneath the concrete base of the existing drain and extended back about 0.3m into previously undisturbed ground. In some areas of the drain, repeated burial had destroyed all archaeological features and deposits. It was not possible to excavate or record the burials, although a large proportion had already been disturbed at least once; all human remains were reinterred.
Areas of particular archaeological interest were the north wall of the aisle, east side of the north transept, north side of the chancel, east end of the chancel, south side of the chancel, south transept and south porch. The drainage trench exposed clear structural remains of a wall running parallel to the present north aisle, and of a second running on virtually the same alignment running east from the north transept. A robber trench appeared to indicate a third wall extending north from the north wall of the chancel. No dating evidence was found for any of these walls.
The excavated evidence cannot be taken as confirmation of the dowsed plans, despite initial appearances to the contrary. Whilst some correlate approximately with dowsed foundatoin lines, all seem likely to post-date, by some centuries, the postulated triple-apsed Saxon church.
A medieval grave slab was found in a shallow drainage trench excavated around the south-west corner of the church. It lay face up and was about 0.6m west of the south-west corner of the porch; it was left in situ. It was carved with one or two pairs of shears and is probably 12th or 13th century date. (11)
Church includes a pair of war memorials as:
* roll of honour for World Wars 1 and 2 within frame inscribed "FATHER IN THY GRACIOUS KEEPING / LEAVE WE NOW THY SERVANTS SLEEPING".
* framed picture of the Virgin Mary with a dedicatory plaque stating "IN GRATEFUL AND LOVING MEMORY / OF THE MEMBERS AND CHOIR / WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR/ (NAMES) / AND IN REMEMBRANCE OF / THE COURAGE AND PATIENCE OF / THE WOMEN OF THE PARISH / 1914-1918. / WE PRAISE THEE, O GOD".
* a brass plaque "TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF / ALGERNON CAREY BLACKETT, LIEUT: S.A.C. / YOUNGEST SON OF THE LATE / EDWARD ALGERNON BLACKETT OF WYLAM. / KILLED IN ACTION AT VON TONDERS HOCK, TRANSVAAL, S.A. / WHILST GALLANTLY LEADING HIS MEN, / 8TH FEBRUARY 1902. / AGED 28 YEARS. / HE TRIED TO DO HIS DUTY".
* a brass plaque inscribed "TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF / PTE. J.F.TURNER, 26 BATT. N.F. / WHO FELL IN ACTION 9 NOVEMBER 1917 / AND WAS BURIED IN FRANCE. / THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED BY HIS / FATHER, MOTHER AND SISTER".
* a wall-mounted brass plaque inscribed TO THE MEMORY OF / FRANK ISMAY GILCHRIST / 48TH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA / FIRST CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY / OVERSEAS FORCE, / BORN AT WELLBURN IN THIS PARISH, / KILLED IN ACTION AT ST JULIEN / APRIL 24TH 1915. / THEY SHALL GROW NOT OLD AS WE / THAT ARE LEFT GROW OLD / AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM NOR THE / YEARS CONDEMN / AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND / IN THE MORNING / WE WILL REMEMBER THEM". (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)
Listed. (17)
General association with HER 8722 (Hexham Priory). (17)
N10117
Roman (43 to 410)
Early Medieval (410 to 1066)
Post Medieval (1540 to 1901)
Early 20th Century (1901 to 1932)
Medieval (1066 to 1540)
Early Medieval (410 to 1066)
Post Medieval (1540 to 1901)
Early 20th Century (1901 to 1932)
Medieval (1066 to 1540)
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1966; R W Emsley
WATCHING BRIEF, St Mary the Virgin, Ovingham 2000
WATCHING BRIEF, The Bewick Graves, St Mary Ovingham 2001
DESK BASED ASSESSMENT, Ovingham to Wylam pipeline 2007; Tyne and Wear Museums
WATCHING BRIEF, St Mary the Virgin Church, Ovingham
WATCHING BRIEF, St Mary the Virgin, Ovingham 2000
WATCHING BRIEF, The Bewick Graves, St Mary Ovingham 2001
DESK BASED ASSESSMENT, Ovingham to Wylam pipeline 2007; Tyne and Wear Museums
WATCHING BRIEF, St Mary the Virgin Church, Ovingham
Disclaimer -
Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.