The Parish Church of Saint Mary Lower Slaughter

The small Anglican parish church, is dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin and is worth a small visit, specially in autumn where you’ll see the church surrounded by trees with delightful colours. I really loved behind the altar, the colorful glasses with scenes of angels and Virgin Mary and the rock construction with Jesus, Mary and I suppose John or Peter.Much of the current structure was built in 1867, based on plans by architect Benjamin Ferrey for Charles Shapland Whitmore, Lord of the Manor.It is a building of stone with a Cotswold stone roof, comprising chancel, nave, north aisle, organ chamber, and vestry. There is also a western two stage tower with diagonal buttresses and spire behind parapets pierced by trefoils.The decoration is Early English and Decorated styles.It contains, however, an early 13th-century arcade which has three cylindrical piers with scalloped capitals and pointed chamfered arches from the late 12th century or early 13th century: transitional Norman. There is also a piscina of the same period.Almost all the fittings are Victorian or modern with little interest except one window by Clayton & Bell on 1867.The Whitmore family is buried in the north aisle.Of the six bells, one is thought to be by Robert Hendley of Gloucester, two are by Edward Neale of Burford (1683)and three were made in 1866.The plate includes a chalice and paten cover of 1576.From architectural evidence, there seems to have been a church at Lower Slaughter by 1235. The nonappearance in ecclesiastical records of the late 13th century indicates that by that period, if not before, it was annexed to Bourton. From the 16th-18th century, the church was usually described as a chapel of ease, but in the 19th century was called a parish church. The change may have resulted from the keeping of separate registers for Lower Slaughter (from 1813) and from the establishment of a right to burial there.In the 16th century some inhabitants at least were buried at Bourton, and although between 1667 and 1699 there were a few burials inside St.Mary’s church, none is recorded in the churchyard before 1770.By 1750 there were services every Sunday afternoon. In 1851 there were morning services only. The number of services, particularly of communion, increased with the building of the new church in 1867 and the arrival of curates to live in the village.In 1954 Lower Slaughter was severed from Bourton and the benefice united (the parish remaining distinct) with Upper Slaughter.

Another beautiful church, with lovely grounds. There is a red like Sakura tree with beautiful blossoms currently.

The circular path that begins in Lower Slaughter and goes through Upper Slaughter is beautiful.

It's like any church but is in a nice area and well looked after

Paying our respects to winston

A beautiful village church where our beautiful daughter and new husband got married on Sunday 1st November in front of just 13 guests - lucky it was this weekend and not the next!

As Victorian restorations go, this one was relatively sensitive. Interesting beamed ceiling. Bits and pieces from earlier centuries. Peaceful churchyard with benches to sit on. Well kept.

This place is like a fairy tale. Absolutely beautiful buildings, great for parking. A stream running through. It's easy to forget the hustle and bustle of normal life when you are here

Beautiful church.