More information : (SP 2070 7598) St. Mary's Church (TU) (1)
The church of St. Mary, (Balsall) was built by the Knights Templars c.1290. After the suppression in 1540 it fell into decay and became roofless. In 1662 it was reroofed, restored to use, and served as a chapel for the adjacent almhouses (gv. SP 27 NW 8). It became a parish church in 1863. The church was restored in 1849 by Sir Gilbert Scott. (2) The church is fully described and illustrated by measured drawings by H. Bowman and J.S. Crowter. (3) Description and view of the church prior to the 1849 restoration. (4)
In normal use. (5) 1. 5108 BALSALL TEMPLE BALSALL Church of St Mary SP 27 NW 11/155 8.9.61. A GV 2. Built circa 1290 for the Knights Templars. Used by the Knights Hospitallers until 1540. Restored 1660's and used as chapel of adjacent almshouses from 1677. Parish church from 1863. Much restored in late C13 style by Sir George Gilbert Scott, 1849. Rectangular plan with small south west corner turret, fragmentary remains of south porch fan vaulting. Interior: series of steps up to east end. C19 fittings, college chapelplan seating. C18 and early C19 wall monuments. Piscina, sedilia. Aumbry recess. VCH, IV, pp 88-90. Church of Saint Mary, Templars Hall, North East Range, South West Range, Entrance Gateway and side Walls at the Lady Katherine Leveson Hospital, Vicarage and Temple House form a group. (6) |