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In the fourteenth century, the Norman church was lengthened beyond the step to provide a new and much large chancel. This area now houses the organ and the churchwardens‘ chest of 1603. The great north aisle was also built in the fourteenth century, alongside the old Norman church, as was the west tower. The door to the tower sits inside a magnificent arch of continuous stone mouldings. The tower is octagonal in shape and the only one in Shropshire. It is thought that it was constructed by the same stonemasons who built Caernarvon Castle.
Few alterations were made to the fabric of the church from that time until 1846 when a great elaborate restoration took place.
A long arcade divides the two aisles, two piers are of fourteenth and others are of nineteenth construction. The beautiful large stained glass window behind the holy table was constructed to commemorate Mary Heber and another window behind the organ was constructed to depict the evangelists and is the work of the well known Shropshire artist David Evans.
This window has become famous with the story of the Holy Grail of King Arthur legends and brought to current public interest through the book and film "The Da Vinci Code". The sponsor of the window was Thomas Wright and from a story written by the ancestor of his wife, Robert Vernon, he created a modern day mystery of great interest.
The organ, was moved to this area in 1883 and restored in 1979. The pews were made from the old panelled oak ceilings, with flowered bosses, in 1821. At that time the roofs were replaced and have collar-beams. Cast iron gutters and downspouts were replaced in 2006 with the help of funding from English Heritage.
Tiled floors decorate both old and new chancels. In the current north aisle area they are to commemorate the Vernon family, who were Lords of the Manor in the sixteenth century. In the old chancel the tiles are dedicated to Bishop Reginald Heber, some showing initials, "RH"
To the left of the holy table is the Heber-Percy Chapel built in 1870. The pulpit dates from the eighteenth century, whilst the stone font has several Norman characteristics but is probably a seventeenth century imitation.
There are eight bells in the tower, six installed in 1769 and two trebles were added in 1947. The upper ringing chamber was constructed at that time leaving the choir vestry on the ground floor.
Following the time of the Norman conquest in 1066 the church was founded and given to Shrewsbury Abbey (c1083) and is mentioned in the Domesday Book(1086). The Abbey held the church until it was dissolved in 1540.
Until its dissolution, Shrewsbury Abbey was patron of the living and the earliest recorded Rector was Henry (1190-1194).
Before 1420 the church was dedicated to SS. Peter and Paul, afterwards it was dedicated to St. Luke.
If you would like a slightly smaller scale map (1:100,000) showing the surrounding area then
click here to go to Streetmap. This again will open in a separate window. If you would like an even smaller scale map (1:200,000) showing Hodnet relative to the major road network then click here to go to Streetmap. This again will open in a separate window.
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