The church
St Mary’s stands at the north end of Childrey’s wide village street. The nave is late 12th century, though its south doorway is the only detail left from that time. The chancel was rebuilt in the mid-13th century, the two transepts were added in the 14th, the west tower was built in the 15th, and the porch and clerestory followed early in the 16th. The south transept became the chantry chapel of the Fettiplace family, who lived at the manor house just south of the church.
The lead font
The font is a plain round bowl of lead cast with twelve figures of bishops, each with a crozier, a book and a mitre. It is probably 12th century. Lead fonts are rare in England, and the Victoria County History described this one as unique.
The brasses
Childrey has one of the largest collections of medieval brasses in the area. In the chancel are:
- William Fynderne (died 1444) in armour and heraldic tabard, and his wife Elizabeth in a horned head-dress and heraldic mantle, under a double canopy; the heraldry was inlaid with lead.
- John Kingston (died 1514) and his wife Susan, with a representation of the Trinity.
- Several priests, including Brian Roos, doctor of laws and rector, who died in 1529.
In the Fettiplace chapel are brasses to Thomas Walrond (died 1480) and Alice his wife; to William Fettiplace and his wife Elizabeth (died 1516), founders of the chantry; to Joan Strangbou, shown in a shroud; and a Purbeck marble tomb of the late 15th century with two shrouded female figures rising from their tombs, which Historic England identifies as William and Elizabeth Fettiplace. There is also a knight’s effigy of about 1300 under a richly carved recess in the north transept, and an Easter sepulchre in the chancel.
The Fettiplaces in Childrey
William Fettiplace founded a combined almshouse and school in the village around 1526, and Sir George Fettiplace built a small brick schoolhouse, bearing the family arms, in 1732. The family moved to Swinbrook in the 17th century, and their Childrey house fell into ruin before being restored. Other things to look for in the church are a north transept window of fine white and yellow 15th-century glass, with an Annunciation in which Gabriel has peacock-feather wings, and a pre-Reformation silver paten of 1496.
Visiting
St Mary’s is a working parish church; check the parish or benefice notices for opening. Please do not rub the brasses. There is limited parking in the village street.