A Timeline for the history of Aldermaston Church
One of the key elements to Project St Mary’s is the understanding of what we have, where it has come from and how to look after it for the future. The starting point for this understanding is the known history of the church in Aldermaston.
C11 |
1086 |
A church existed in Aldermaston in the 11th Century, as mentioned in the Domesday Book, but the actual location of it is unknown. ” The King holds Aldermaston in lordship. Harold held it. |
C12 |
1100-1118 |
Aldermaston granted by Henry I to Robert Achard |
1150 |
The first Aldermaston church in the current position was built around 1150. | |
C13 |
1210 |
First extension built extending the church eastward |
before
1229 |
William Achard the Younger grants the church to the Priory of Sherborne | |
| Wall paintings: Two roundels at the west end of the north nave wall. | ||
C14 |
Tower added | |
| Wall paintings: Wall paintings in the south transept; including a depiction of St Christopher and masonry line decoration. There is further masonry line decoration at east end of north wall which may be from this period too. |
||
C15 |
Wall paintings: Alterations to the C14 wall paintings on the south and east walls of the south transept with the addition of scenes from the life of St Nicholas | |
C16 |
1530 |
Alabaster monument built of Sir George Forster and his wife Elizabeth |
1558 |
Elizabeth I visited Aldermaston Court | |
1567 |
William Forster obtained a lease of the Rectory for 500 years from Queen’s College, Oxford | |
1592 |
Elizabeth I again visited Aldermaston Court | |
C17 |
Vestry added | |
C18 |
Painted inscriptions | |
1750s |
The Congreves reversionary rights purchased from Queen’s College, Oxford and from this time the rectory was in the hands of the Lord of the Manor. | |
C19 |
1869 |
Wall paintings uncovered during restoration |
1880 |
Current organ installed | |
1896 |
Charles Edward Keyser, Lord of the Manor, renovates the church | |
C20 |
1952 |
The tower was found to be in need of repair and some of the massive oak beams had to be replaced by brick piers. A steel support for the spire was also found to be necessary |
1955 |
The ravages of death watch beetle, furniture beetle and fungal rot necessitated the treatment and repair of the roof of the rest of the church | |
C21 |
2011 |
Bell tower roof re-shingled with oak shingles. |
2014 |
 Project St Mary’s set up to renovate and rejuvenate the church. |