Ashow - The Assumption
A very rare dedication that somehow survived the Reformation, Ashow's church of the Assumption of Mary is hidden away in its leafy enclosure at the southern end of the village on high ground overlooking the River Avon. It is a delightfully picturesque spot, and is a building of considerable charm. It was never a large building and appears to be little altered in plan from the Norman period, remaining a two-cell unit of nave and chancel, only the late 15th/early 16th century tower has been added since. The warm red sandstone Norman walls remain (despite the main windows being later modifications) except on the south side of the nave, where the wall was replace in grey stone c1794. The north side ia little altered Norman work with only two tingy slits of windows, and also two curiously blocked doorways side by side, (one round-headed Norman work, the other early 13th century Gothic).
Within the church appears surprisingly spacious and tall for such a modest building, and light considering how few windows punctuate the north side. Here there was no major Victorian makeover, the box pews remain and the walls are gleaming with whitewash. The feeling of antiquity is enhanced by the medieval roof above, open rafters with tie beams studded with carved foliate bosses at their centre. The view eastwards is curious as the structural division between nave and chancel never seems to have been fully realised (or was perhaps later dismantled?); the walls narrow and presumably a chancel arch was intended, but the where it should spring simply carries another wooden beam of the roof.
The furnishings are largely of a piece from the 1794 modification of the church, along with the royal arms of George III above the south door and the Decalogue now mounted on the north wall (dating from 1818). The most significant piece is the reredos, which incorporates a Flemish painting of the Crucifixion from c1550. The only more recent piece is the sole stained glass in the east window, a work by Hardman Studios from 1932 (the remainder of the windows are entirely plain-glazed).
The furnishings are largely of a piece from the 1794 modification of the church, along with the royal arms of George III above the south door and the Decalogue now mounted on the north wall (dating from 1818). The most significant piece is the reredos, which incorporates a Flemish painting of the Crucifixion from c1550. The only more recent piece is the sole stained glass in the east window, a work by Hardman Studios from 1932 (the remainder of the windows are entirely plain-glazed).
Ashow church is delightful building and rewards a short visit, and is happily now generally kept open and welcoming.
A.M.Thomson 2018
A.M.Thomson 2018