England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Preston on Stour St Mary

The Parish

The parish of Preston on Stour was historically the northeastern-most parish in the county of Gloucestershire with border butting against both Warwickshire and Worcestershire. The county boundaries in this area were so complex and administratively difficult that modern reorganisation transferred Preston on Stour into Warwickshire, we choose to keep it within its historic county. Preston on Stour is located roughly 4 miles south of the historic town of Stratford upon Avon and sits a mile west of the A3400 road which connects Stratford upon Avon with Shipston on Stour, it also, as its name suggest site on the western banks of the River Stour. Preston on Stour is a slightly grown estate village with most properties lining a single north to south running lane. Like most estate villages the local economy was largely dictated by the needs of the estate and here a mixed farming regime dominated the area, the Stour granting rich riverside pastures whilst drier areas grew cereals in the main. Preston on Stour is drained northwards by the Stour which meets the Avon just west of Stratford upon Avon, water turns westwards until the Severn is met whence it returns back south to eventually reach the sea through the Bristol Channel. Preston on Stour is sited at around 60 metres above the sea in its valley setting, across the Stour to the east land rises to a local high point of 136 metres close to Ettington in relatively gently undulating terrain. Preston on Stour parish was typically sized for its area covering a touch over 1,700 acres and supporting a population of around 400 parishioners. Preston on Stour's Domesday entry is surely that for a region rather than a single manor as 68 mills, leagues of forest and 4 mills seems to be totally at odds with this small rural community, the region was in the control of St Denis Abbey, Paris.

The Church

St Mary's church sits on the western edges of the village accessed from the main lane by a roughly surfaced track and sitting opposite the village's allotments. Whilst there was a medieval church here from early times it was much adapted by the local West family's changes in the mid 18th century. Between 1754 & 1757 the church was virtually rebuilt with only the western, Perpendicular, tower remaining from the predecessor, even that was much altered with a whole new belfry stage. Practicalities of the site, with the nave sunk into churchyard enabled the south wall of that piece to also survive relatively intact whilst its northern wall, not so constrained, was rebuilt. Moving east the chancel is totally a creation of the 18th century rebuild, only its internal character was altered by the later restoration of 1904 which created its marble floor and Art Nouveau furnishings. The lane ends by curving around the churchyard where parking for both allotments and church may readily be found. The churchyard is open and uncluttered from the south allowing unfettered access for the photographer.