Oldberrow - St Mary

St Mary's at Oldberrow is a familiar sight on the main road between Henley in Arden and Redditch, a small but picturesque church close to the privately owned Oldberrow Court and seemingly lacking anything in the way of a village. It very much a picture postcard scene, and at first glance seems to suggest a largely unrestored building, though it has in fact had much attention from the Victorians, but at least they didn't spoil it..

The church is a simple structure of nave and chancel without structural division; it was much restored in the Victorian period and is largely a recreation of that time, but it retains some of it;s ancient features, such as the curious alcove on the north side of the chancel (possibly a former anchorite's cell) and a simple early 13th century font.

The font is early medieval, with a somewhat transitional appearance, simple in form with what appears to be 13th century foliate designs incised into the bowl. Otherwise the furnishings are mainly of the Victorian restoration, as is the  stained glass in the east window by Hardman's of Birmingham, c1860s. The west window also has stained glass but of much more recent date c1990s with four local landmarks set in diamond-shaped vignettes, including an image of the church itself.

This church is seen by hundreds of travellers each day and is open and welcoming to all who care to take a look.