Madley - Church of The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin

Church of The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin (Historic Churches Trust) is is one of the most magnificent churches in Herefordshire.

There was originally a Norman church here, but all that remains of it is the present north porch originally a transept, as its size and the two little round headed windows indicate. The nave with its aisles and the tower date from about 1230. About 1320 a fine new chancel was built, with two unusual features: because of falling ground it stands on a vaulted crypt (which it is hoped to make accessible) and it ends in three-sided apse. Finally, a few years, the Chilstone chapel was added on the south side so large that it forms an extra aisle. In the crypt there probably stood a statue of Our Lady which was an object of pilgrimage: this may explain the size and grandeur of the church and its unusual dedication. In the chancel are stalls with tip up 'misericord' seats, but without carving. The sedilia a set of stone seats in the south wall of the sanctuary carry the ball flower ornament typical of their period (cp. Ledbury and Leominster). The central east window contains some roundels of beautiful 13th century glass, while below them are remains of a