(Potterne, Wiltshire, the church of St Mary the Virgin from the east)
With its church towering above the high street on a fortunate shoulder of hill it is clear that Potterne is a place of significance. Indeed this importance long pre-dates the establishment of the church of St Mary the Virgin, for excavations around the village have found that it was an important trading site back into the Bronze Age. Although its fortunes have waxed and waned over the years the Wiltshire village of Potterne (the name is of Saxon origin) has remained as a home to the history of man throughout the succeeding ages.
Come the late Saxon period (end of the 9'th century) and Potterne was gifted by King Offa to the church at Sherborne, then the centre of Christianity for a wide area of the country. From this period dates the first evidence of a Church (to the South of the current building), with records suggesting that it was in service around 950AD.
(Potterne, Wiltshire, the church of St Mary the Virgin from the South)
(Potterne, Wiltshire, the church of St Mary the Virgin from the South West)
The close links of this community with the church establishment were reinforced throughout the middle ages, with the Bishop of Salisbury holding the manor. It is from connection that the current church of St Mary the Virgin comes. Built in the 13'th century, around the time of the completion of Salisbury cathedral, this church has remained largely unaltered (as far as its major structure in concerned) since then. As such with its high roofed nave, impressive crossing and powerful dimensions remains as a good example of church architecture from its period.
(Potterne, Wiltshire, St Mary the Virgin, nave looking east through crossing to chancel)
(Potterne, Wiltshire, the church of St Mary the Virgin, chancel and East Window)
Of course over the years there have been to some changes, the 14'th century saw the addition of the the South porch, the upper portion of the tower dates from the 15'th century. In 1872 restoration removed the inner galleries (there were 3), a feature that must have much altered the internal feel of the church.
(Potterne, Wiltshire, St Mary the Virgin, looking west along nave from crossing)
In addition to its current font, preserved in the church is a Saxon font, a survivor from the earlier church.
The graveyard is constrained by its site overlooking the village and the church sits on the Northern end of this plot. Photographed in September 2010 for theChurchPhotographer by Nick Temple-Fry. This church is normally open for visitors.
