A Short History of Elmley Castle Church

Christianity came to this part of the world in the seventh century and it is likely that a church was established on this site before the century was out.   By the time the Normans came it would seem that it was a stone built church and in 1070 Robert d'Abitot, the Lord of the Manor, rebuilt the church adding the nave.   In 1235 William Beauchamp, now Lord of the Manor, extended the nave and added the lower portion of the tower.

In 1308 a later William Beauchamp endowed the church as a Collegiate Church (the only one in Worcestershire) and the college buildings just outside the church gate were built.   In 1340 William's son Guy ordered extensive alterations to the church including erecting a rood screen. a north and south transept and a south aisle.   In 1488 the church came under the control of the Bishop of Worcester and he added the north aisle and the upper portion of the tower.   In 1549 the porch was added and the sundial erected by the Savage family who by then were the new Lords of the Manor.

In 1636 the Savage Memorial was installed and castellations added to the church.   In 1646 in the aftermath of the the civil war the rood screen, plaster and stained glass were all removed.   In 1770 Thomas Savage who had married the widowed Countess of Coventry allowed the memorial to her late husband to be installed in the church.

By 1845 a report revealed that the church was in a sorry state and in 1860 and later in 1878 major reconstruction was undertaken.