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St Bartholomew's Church, Tong
St Bartholomew's Church, Tong
  • Collegiate Church of St Bartholomew, Tong
  • The Westminster Abbey of The Midlands
Tong Church from the south east - geograph.org.uk - 404700.jpg
St Bartholomew's church seen from the south
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OS grid reference SJ795073
Location Shropshire
Country England
Denomination Church of England
Website St Bartholomew's, Tong, Shropshire
History
Status parish church
Founder(s) Isabel Lingen
Dedication St Bartholomew
Architecture
Functional status Active
Heritage designation Grade I Listed
Designated 26 May 1955
Architect(s) Ewan Christian (restoration)
Style Gothic
Years built 1409–1430
Specifications
Length 103 feet 10 inches (31.65 m)
Nave width 45 feet 11 inches (14.00 m)
Height 25 feet 9 inches (7.85 m)
Materials New Red Sandstone, Sherwood Sandstone Group
Bells
  • ring of 6,
  • plus service and bourdon bells
Administration
Parish Tong
Deanery Edgmond and Shifnal
Archdeaconry Salop
Diocese Lichfield
Province Canterbury

The Collegiate Church of St Bartholomew, Tong (also known as St Bartholomew's Church) is a beautiful 15th-century church in the village of Tong, Shropshire, England. It is famous for its amazing architecture and special features. These include its unique fan vaulting in a side chapel, which is rare in Shropshire, and its many old tombs.

The church was built where an older church once stood. It was created as a collegiate church (a church with a group of priests living together) and a chantry (a place for special prayers for the dead). This was started by Isabel Lingen, who got support from the king. The local lords of Tong Castle continued to support the church. Many of the tombs inside belong to these families, especially the Vernons. Later, other important families added more memorials. One of these is the Stanley Monument, which has poems on it that are said to have been written by William Shakespeare himself!

St Bartholomew's Church was also the site of a small fight during the English Civil War. It even has a grave for Little Nell, a character from Charles Dickens' book The Old Curiosity Shop, even though she was made up! The building is a Grade I listed site, meaning it's very important historically. In 2017, its lead roof was replaced with steel to stop thieves. Because of its many monuments and beautiful design, it's sometimes called The Westminster Abbey of The Midlands. It's often seen as one of the best churches in The Midlands and in England.

A Look Back: Earlier Churches at Tong

Historyofshrewsb1
Seal of the Abbey of St Peter, Shrewsbury, around 1200.
Lilleshall Abbey Ruins 2011 4
The ruined chancel of Lilleshall Abbey, near Tong.

The Domesday Book (a very old survey from 1087) does not mention a church in Tong. However, we know a church was built there between 1087 and 1094. This is because Roger de Montgomery, the Earl of Shrewsbury, gave the right to choose the priest for Tong church to Shrewsbury Abbey.

Over the years, the ownership of Tong and its church changed hands several times. Sometimes, the local lords tried to choose the priests themselves, leading to disagreements with the Abbey. One famous argument happened in 1220 when Roger la Zouche tried to choose a new priest, but the Abbey proved its right to do so.

A new church building was likely built around 1260. The manor of Tong eventually passed to the Pembridge family. Sir Fulk Pembridge, a very wealthy landowner, died in 1409 without children. His second wife, Isabel Lingen, survived him for many years. She was the one who decided to build the church we see today.

Building the College Church

Isabel of Lingen 28 June 2018
Effigy of Isabel of Lingen, wearing a crown of roses and ivy.
Tong St Bart - Benedicta de Ludlow and Richard Vernon 01
Effigies of Benedicta de Ludlow and Sir Richard Vernon.

The current church was started by Isabel Lingen after her husband died. She wanted it to be a chantry and a collegiate church. This meant it would have priests living there to pray for the souls of her three husbands and other important people. To make sure this happened, Isabel bought the right to choose the priests from Shrewsbury Abbey.

Getting permission from the king, Henry IV, was expensive, costing £40 in 1410. Isabel, along with two priests, Walter Swan and William Mosse, gave land and property to support the new church. They planned for a new, lasting building. The king's permission said they could have "five chaplains, more or less," with one chosen as the warden (leader) of the college. It was named "the College of St Bartholomew the Apostle of Tong."

The main goal was to have regular church services to pray for Isabel's three husbands. But the list of people to pray for also included the king, his half-brother, and Isabel's parents. The king also allowed Isabel to give the right to choose the college's priests to Richard Vernon and his wife, Benedicta de Ludlow (Isabel's daughter). The Vernon family held this right for over a century. They were one of the richest families in Derbyshire.

Besides the priests, the college's money also supported thirteen poor and disabled men. Isabel also had almshouses (homes for the poor) built near the church. These almshouses were later moved and then destroyed in the 19th century. Only one wall remains today.

Life in the College

Dürer Gregoriusmis
Mass of Saint Gregory by Albrecht Dürer, 1511. This shows how people believed the Mass could help the living and the dead.

The college was set up quickly, with the first warden starting in March 1411. Rules for how the college should run were approved by the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield. These rules tell us a lot about daily life there.

Why the College Was Built

The rules clearly stated that the church's main purpose was to be a chantry. This meant that the daily church services, especially the Mass, were central. They believed these services helped the living and the dead, and could lessen God's anger. The idea was to "trade an earthly treasure for a heavenly one."

At the time, some people, like John Wycliffe and the Lollards, questioned the value of special prayers for the dead. But the college's rules strongly supported the traditional belief that the Mass was a sacrifice that helped people. The main people to benefit from these prayers were Isabel Lingen's husbands and their families, as well as the king. The rules also said that those who helped support the college would especially benefit.

Who Lived in the College

Tong College building 02
Remains of former almshouses from the south.
Tong College building 01
Remains of former almshouses from the north west corner.

The college had five priests. One was the warden, who was the leader and also looked after the spiritual needs of the college and the local villagers. There was also a sub-warden, who was the deputy. Two assistant clerics, who were not full priests, also helped. Finally, there were 13 poor men, seven of whom had to be very ill or disabled. Once they were admitted, they could only be removed for a very good reason.

The warden was chosen by Isabel while she was alive. After her death, the priests would choose the warden. The warden had to promise to manage the college well and follow the rules. He also had to keep track of the college's money and make sure it was in a better state when he left than when he started.

The priests were expected to obey the warden. Minor offenses like disobedience or brawling would lead to punishment, but serious crimes like murder would mean expulsion.

Daily Life and Worship

Pontifical Mass - 15th Century - Project Gutenberg eText 16531
A 15th-century high mass, with a priest, deacon, and sub-deacon.

Confession was an important part of preparing for the Mass. The warden would hear the priests' confessions, and they would hear each other's. This was done in a special "hall of confession."

The sub-warden was in charge of all the church services. He managed the books and decorations, and made sure all the necessary items for Mass were ready. He also kept track of who was absent from services.

All the priests were expected to attend every service. This was not just to make sure services were done well, but also to prevent "acedia" (laziness or lack of interest in life), which was seen as a sin. Priests were allowed a month's holiday each year, but not all at once. They were fined if they missed services without permission.

Services followed the "Use of Sarum," a common set of rules for worship in England. Matins (morning prayers) were said or sung before daybreak. A special Mass for the Virgin Mary was held, followed by a High Mass. On Sundays, there would be a sermon in English for the villagers. Each day of the week also had a special themed Mass.

The poor people in the almshouses were not required to attend all services. However, they were expected to attend one or two Masses daily and say certain prayers on their own.

Special anniversaries were celebrated for Isabel's husbands and parents. After their deaths, Isabel, William Mosse, and Walter Swan were also remembered with special services. Priests had to buy their own special robes for services.

Living Together

The warden and priests lived together in one building. Their rooms were large, and meals were eaten at a common table. During meals, someone would read from the Bible. The college aimed to provide good food, and a priest was chosen to manage the meals. Outsiders were only allowed to join meals in small numbers, and women only if they had a very good reason.

Priests were told to avoid distractions like hunting. They were not allowed to keep dogs without permission. They were also expected to dress nicely, even when outside the college, and were encouraged to wear uniform clothing when meeting outsiders.

Other Activities and Pay

The warden was also responsible for the spiritual care of the entire village. Another priest would help him with this, especially with sacraments like baptism. One of the priests or clerics was also chosen to be a teacher. He taught the college's employees, the poor children of Tong, and even children from nearby villages.

The warden received an annual payment of ten marks, while the other priests received four marks. This was in addition to their food and lodging, which the college paid for. They could also earn extra money for special Masses after people died. These payments were made twice a year. The sub-warden, the village priest, and the steward received a little extra pay. The poor people in the almshouses received one mark a year in money or goods, plus their housing.

The warden was also responsible for keeping an oil lamp lit at the main altar and providing wax candles. He had to make sure all these expenses were met. Priests could leave the college, but they had to give six months' notice.

How the College Got Its Money

Henry V and the Image of Pity
Henry V of England kneeling before an image of the Man of Sorrows.
Lapley All Saints
All Saints Church, Lapley. Part of the building dates back to the 12th century.

Tong College was first supported by income from lands in Tong, Orlingbury, Sharnford, and Gilmorton. These weren't huge sources of money.

The Lapley Grant

Things got much better in 1415 when Henry V gave the college Lapley Priory. This was a monastery that belonged to a French abbey. During wars with France, English kings often took over these "alien priories." Henry V decided to take them over permanently.

His gift of Lapley to Tong College was a big deal, even though it cost Isabel £100 to get the official papers. The priory came with land, the right to choose the priest for Lapley church, and tithes (a portion of people's income). About 25 years later, the Lapley estates provided about half of the college's total income.

Because of this new wealth, the college's rules were updated in 1423. The warden's pay was supposed to go up to £10 and the priests' to £5. However, these higher amounts were not actually paid, and the priests continued to receive the old rate. Older priests were allowed to stay even if they had their own money. The local lord and a religious group took over responsibility for the almshouses.

Farming and Food

The college also had its own farms, especially around Lapley and Wheaton Aston. These farms produced enough grain, meat, and dairy products to feed the college members. They also had sheep and sold wool. By 1546, just before the college closed, they still had good amounts of wheat, rye, barley, and oats in their barns, showing they grew their own food. They also had pigs and poultry.

More Rights and Gifts

In 1448, the college and Sir Richard Vernon (the lord of the manor) received special rights from the king. This gave them more control over legal matters in their area, like dealing with lost goods or criminals.

By 1535, the college had also gained small estates in Weston-under-Lizard and Wellington, Shropshire. Most of the college's income still came from the Lapley manor.

The college also received money and gifts from people's wills. For example, in 1451, William FitzHerbert left money for candles at his funeral and for a priest to say Mass for his soul. In 1454, Fulk Eyton asked to be buried in the church's lady chapel and left money for many prayers and Masses. He also gave a silver basin and a feather bed to the college.

Vernon's Chantry

Tong St Bart - Anne Talbot and Henry Vernon 01
Effigies of Anne Talbot and Sir Henry Vernon on their tomb at Tong.
Tong St Bart - Arthur Vernon 01
Arthur Vernon shown in a brass plate on the floor of the Vernon chapel.

After the college was founded, only one other permanent chantry was set up at Tong. This was by Sir Henry Vernon. In his will from 1515, he asked to be buried in a special place at Tong, next to his wife, Anne Talbot. He wanted their tomb and a new chapel to be finished within two years.

Sir Henry left £200 to support a chantry priest to serve in this new chapel. He also left a small estate to fund Masses for his soul. The people in the almshouse were to receive money to pray for him at his funeral and on his anniversaries. He also gave his best Mass book and a special cup to the chapel.

Sir Henry Vernon wanted his chantry priest to lead services in his chapel and help with the main Mass in the church choir. This chantry, called "the Chapel of the Salutation of Our Lady," was separate from Tong College. When the college was closed down, its assets were listed and sold separately. These included lands in Staffordshire and near Tong, worth about £6 9s. 2d. a year.

The College Closes Down

Taking Over the Property

In 1546, a special order was given to close down Tong College. This was part of new laws that allowed the king to take over the property of chantries, hospitals, and colleges. The order was signed by important officials of King Henry VIII.

Four powerful men from the Midlands were chosen to carry out the closure: Sir George Blount, George Vernon, Thomas Giffard, and Francis Cave. Tong College was one of only a few colleges chosen to be closed under the 1545 law. Vernon's Chantry and another chantry in Bakewell were also closed at the same time.

On September 27, 1546, three of the officials took over Tong College. They also took a small field belonging to Vernon's Chantry as a symbol of taking over all its property. Two days later, they took over a house in Bakewell to represent taking over all the chantry property there. After these symbolic takeovers, detailed lists of all the goods were made.

It seemed that the sale of the properties to Sir Richard Manners (George Vernon's stepfather) was already planned. The inventory of the college's goods started with a list of food needed for the almshouses, like grain, meat, and fish. It also listed money owed to servants and wages for workers. The college's goods were valued by a team of surveyors. The most valuable items were the livestock, worth over £10, including oxen, cattle, and sheep. Vernon's Chantry had only vestments (special robes), worth 11 shillings.

Selling the Estates

In January 1547, the official papers granting the Tong and Bakewell estates to Richard Manners were signed. The annual value of Tong College was given as £53 13s. 5¼d. Manners agreed to pay £486 4s. 2d. for all three properties. However, King Henry VIII died, and the sale wasn't completed until July 25, 1547, when Edward VI was king. Manners had already paid the money in May. The grant said that Manners would hold the lands and pay a yearly rent to the Crown.

Manners quickly started selling off some of the property. Less than a month later, he sold the Tong College building, the church's tithes, and the right to choose the priest to James and Alice Wolryche. In 1548, he sold Lapley manor and many other properties that used to belong to the priory to Robert Broke, a famous lawyer. Robert Forster, who had helped survey the college, bought the lands he had been renting in Wellington and Horsebrook.

Tong Church After the College Closed

Tong 1739
Map of Tong, Shropshire, in 1739.
William Cole(FAS)
William Cole, an antiquary.

The college buildings, built in the 15th century, stayed with the Woolrich family until 1648. Then, they were sold to William Pierrepont, who became the lord of Tong through marriage. Since the college had owned the right to choose the church's priest and its income, William Pierrepont was able to leave these to his youngest son, Gervase, when he died in 1678. In 1697, Gervase set aside money to provide £12 a year for the six widows living in the almshouses.

A map from 1739 shows that the college buildings still covered a large area south of the churchyard. However, they started to fall apart in the mid-1700s. In 1757, an expert named William Cole said the college buildings were still in good shape. But by 1763, a magazine said that "The ancient college where the clergy lived is mostly demolished, and what remains is partly inhabited by some poor people, and partly converted into a stable." The almshouses were still standing and housed "six poor widows." In the early 1800s, George Durant, the owner of the Tong estate, tore down the rest of the college buildings. Only a small section of wall remains today.

Church and Castle Connections

WilliamPierrepont
William Pierrepont, a Puritan lord of the manor from 1628.

After the college closed, the church remained the center of Tong village. For about a century, the Wolryche family owned the right to choose the priest. They even appointed a family member, John Wolryche, as curate in 1561.

The manor of Tong was later bought by Sir Thomas Harries. When he died in 1628, his daughter Elizabeth married William Pierrepont, who then became the lord of the manor. William Pierrepont was a wealthy and powerful landowner. Several of his children were baptized at Tong church.

During the English Civil War, Tong Castle changed hands many times because it was near important roads. It was taken by Parliamentarians in 1643, but then Prince Rupert took it back for the King. Later, the Royalists burned it when they left for a big battle. A Royalist soldier noted in 1645 that the church windows were "much broken."

While his home was damaged, William Pierrepont was a member of the Westminster Assembly, a group that advised Parliament on religious matters. He seemed to support the Presbyterian church. After the war, money was spent to repair Tong church. In 1648, Pierrepont bought the college property, which meant he now controlled both the manor and the right to choose the church's priest.

In 1650, Robert Hilton was appointed as the minister of the church. After the king returned to power in 1660, Hilton retired. His successor, Joseph Bradley, became a priest in the official church.

Gervase Pierrepont, William's son, was a strong supporter of the church. In 1697, he made sure the curate (the local priest) would receive all the smaller tithes (like hay, wool, and fruit). He also guaranteed the curate's income would not fall below £30 a year. He even provided money for the minister's food and a horse, or offered a room and stables at the castle. There was no vicarage (priest's house) until 1725, so the priest sometimes lived at the castle. Gervase was a Tory politician. His generosity to the clergy was continued by later owners. In 1763, it was noted that the Duke of Kingston, the current owner, paid the minister £80 a year. The church continued to be a place of worship for the families living at Tong Castle.

Tong Castle was torn down in 1954 by the Army because it was falling apart. Before a new road (the A41 bypass) was built in 1963, the church was about 500 meters from Tong Castle.

The church is built on sloping land. Some people think this was done on purpose so that water could flow out of the west door if the floor needed washing.

North Door of St Bartholomew's Church in Tong, Shropshire
Blocked north doorway.

The church's north door was once called the "Door of Excommunication," but it's not clear when it was last used or when it was sealed up. Above this door is a stone carving of the Royal Arms of George III. This monument cost £60 in 1814 and was a gift to celebrate the end of a war and Napoleon's exile. The entire church was restored in the late 1800s, finishing in 1892.

The church owns a special cup called The Tong Cup. It's described as "a communion cup of goulde and christall" but it's actually silver-gilt with a crystal middle. It's now kept safely in the treasury of Lichfield Cathedral, but it still belongs to Tong parish.

Like many churches, St Bartholomew's has been targeted by lead thieves who stole parts of the roof six times between 2010 and 2015. In 2017, after money was raised, the roof was replaced with terne-coated stainless steel to stop thieves.

The church is often recommended for visits because of its history. One writer in 1855 said that Tong was a place that could teach and interest anyone. Simon Jenkins, a famous author, gave Tong church three stars in his book England's Thousand Best Churches. St Bartholomew's is also often called "The Westminster Abbey of the West Midlands" because of its history and decorations. The first person to call it a "little Westminster" was Elihu Burritt, an American consul who was amazed by its "beautiful and costly monuments."

Church Bells

Crossing tower of St Bartholomew's Church, Tong, Shropshire
Spire, crossing tower and Vernon Chapel, seen from the south.

The church tower has a ring of six bells. These bells were cast (made) by different bell makers over many years, from 1593 to 1810.

The church also has a smaller service bell, made around 1600.

St Bartholomew's is especially known for its huge bourdon bell, which weighs over 2.5 tons! It was re-cast in 1892, the same year the church restoration was finished. This bell is called the Great Bell of Tong. Money for a bell was first given by Sir Henry Vernon in 1518. It cracked during the English Civil War and was re-cast in 1720. It cracked again in 1848 and was not re-cast until 1892. It is said to be the loudest and biggest bell in Shropshire. Because of its size and weight, people worried the tower might not support it if it was rung too often. So, the bell is now rung only on special days.

Outside the Church

The church is built from local New Red Sandstone, which is a dark brown color and has held up very well over time. You can see the church from the A41 road, and it's so beautiful that it makes travelers want to stop and explore. Its roof is low and decorated with battlements, pinnacles, and gargoyles (carved stone figures).

Cannonball damage at St Bartholomew's Church, Tong, Shropshire
Cannonball damage next to the blocked north doorway.

The north side of the church has many small holes from musket balls and at least one large hole from a cannonball. These were made during the English Civil War. Tong church was often in the middle of fights because it was on the road between Newport and Wolverhampton. After the fighting, a soldier noted that the church was "faire" but its "windows much broken."

Some people thought the musket ball holes might be from soldiers being executed against the wall, but this is unlikely because of the steep dip in the ground there. One of the church's smaller bells was taken to be melted down for artillery, and lead from the roof was also used for ammunition.

A carved statue of St Bartholomew is in a special spot on the east wall. It was made by Pat Austin, whose husband, David Austin, has a famous rose growing business nearby. About 5 meters south of the South Chapel is the base of a 15th-century cross. It's made of sandstone and used to have a cross on top, but that was replaced with a sundial in 1776. The base is a Grade II* listed structure.

Churchyard headstone cross, St Bartholomew's Church, Tong, Shropshire
Chrysom Graveyard outside St Bartholomew's Church, Tong, Shropshire.

For a long time, at least until the 1700s, school buildings were located in the churchyard. The college buildings, built in 1410, were on the south side of the church. They were largely destroyed in 1644 during the English Civil War when soldiers fought over Tong Castle, church, and college. Later studies showed that the buildings had been burned around that time. The college buildings survived until the mid-1700s when they were taken apart. George Durant destroyed the rest in the 1800s, and their site is now under the A41 bypass.

Between the north side of the church and the vestry, there's a small Maltese Cross on the ground. This area is called "Chrysom's Graveyard" and was where unbaptized babies were buried. The cross has lines from famous poets like Lord Byron and Walter Scott carved into it, though they are mostly worn away now. This area is also a Grade II listed structure.

Little Nell's Grave

Little Nell's grave in St Bartholomew's churchyard, Tong, Shropshire
Reputed grave of Little Nell in St Bartholomew's churchyard.

In the churchyard, there's a grave with a small metal plate that says "The reputed grave of Little Nell." This refers to the character of Little Nell from Charles Dickens' novel, The Old Curiosity Shop. In the book, Little Nell and her grandfather become poor and move to an unknown village in the West Midlands. Nell dies at the end of the book.

Around 1910, the church's caretaker, George Bowden, created a fake entry in the church records saying a "Nell Gwyn" was buried there. He used Post Office ink, which was a giveaway! He also made a grave, which has moved around over the years as real people were buried in the churchyard. Even though it's a fake and Nell is a made-up character, the grave has attracted many visitors, even from America.

Tong has been identified as the place where Nell died because Dickens' grandmother was the housekeeper at Tong Castle. It's said that Dickens wrote the ending of his novel while visiting her nearby. Dickens himself confirmed this to the clergy at Tong church after the book was published, describing the church as "...a very aged, ghostly place."

Inside the Church

The inside of the church is described as a "splendid Perpendicular Gothic interior" that attracts many visitors. The church, its monuments, and relics are all part of a Grade I listed building. The four supporting pillars on the south side of the nave are from the original church and date back to the late 1200s. The main part of the church was built in the early 1400s. The only major addition after that was the Vernon Chantry (or Golden Chapel), added in the early 1500s. Unlike many churches of its time, St Bartholomew's does not have a clerestory (a row of windows high up).

St Bartholomew's Tong schematic
St Bartholomew's Tong schematic (not to scale).

The church tower is special because its base is rectangular, but it supports an octagonal (eight-sided) structure, topped with a short spire. The base of the tower holds the bells. A door in the northeast pillar, where the pulpit used to hang, leads to the belfry. The pulpit itself is from the 1600s, given as a gift in 1622. It is hexagonal and has an inscription.

Lily crucifix misericord in Tong church, Shropshire
Lily crucifix misericord in Tong church, Shropshire.

The choir area has stalls decorated with misericords (small ledges on the underside of folding seats) from around 1480. One special misericord, where the warden would have sat, shows a Lily crucifix. There are only about a dozen of these left in England, and Tong's is the only one carved in wood. Since the other misericords don't show Bible stories, some think the carver didn't know the special meaning of the Lily crucifix and just carved it by chance.

The east window was designed and installed by Charles Kempe during the church's restoration. It's known for its detail and has five sections divided by a transom (a horizontal bar). Kempe also saved some 15th-century glass and put it in the west window, above the west door, which was opened up during the restoration.

Tombs and Memorials

The church's nave and aisles (side sections) have many monuments, tombs, and statues celebrating the lives of important people. The most famous is the Stanley monument. It used to be near the altar but was moved in the 1700s to make way for another monument. This monument has two poems carved on it, said to be written by Shakespeare for Sir Edward Stanley's parents. This makes Tong Church the only place with two of Shakespeare's poems carved in stone. The only other one is on Shakespeare's own grave. Shakespeare had connections to the Stanley family, who were his supporters.

The Stanley tomb has two levels. The top level shows statues of Sir Thomas Stanley and his wife, Margaret Vernon, with their hands together in prayer. The lower level has a statue of their son, Edward, with his right hand on his chest, which suggests the tomb was finished while he was still alive.

Sir Fulke and Lady Elizabeth de Pembrugge tomb chest, St Bartholomew's Church, Tong, Shropshire
Early 15th-century statues of Sir Fulk and Lady Isabel de Pembrugge.

Statues of Sir Fulke and Dame Isabel de Pembrugge lie together on a tomb on the north side of the tower. The tomb is made from Nottingham Alabaster and has some damage, but you can still see some of the original black paint on Isabel's widow's dress. Isabel died in 1446. Every Midsummer's Day, a crown of roses is placed around her head. This tradition comes from a very old agreement where a lord of Tong, Roger la Zouche, was to be given a rose chaplet (crown) each year. If he wasn't there, it was to be placed on a statue of the Virgin Mary in the church. After the Reformation, when the statue was removed, people started placing the flowers on Isabel's tomb instead.

Sir Richard Vernon's tomb in St Bartholomew's Church, Tong
Part of the tomb of Sir Richard Vernon (died 1451).

Across from the de Pembrugge tomb is the tomb of Sir Richard Vernon and Benedicta de Ludlow. This tomb is also carved from alabaster. The Vernons lived in Haddon Hall in Derbyshire, but they chose to be buried at St Bartholomew's after they became lords of Tong.

The tomb of Sir William Vernon and his wife, Margaret Swynfen in Tong church, Shropshire
15th-century tomb of Sir William Vernon and his wife, Margaret Swynfen.

West of the first Vernon monument is the tomb of Sir William Vernon and his wife, Margaret Swynfen. This tomb is made of Purbeck marble and has brass figures of Sir William and his wife. Other Vernon family members have tombs near the pulpit and in the Vernon Chapel.

The Vernon Chapel, separated from the south aisle by a special door, was finished around 1519–1520. It holds many monuments, including one for Sir Henry Vernon, who built it.

Arthur Vernon bust in St Bartholomew's Church, Tong, Shropshire
Bust of Arthur Vernon, MA (died 1517).

In the chapel, there is a bust (a statue of the head and shoulders) of Arthur Vernon, son of Sir Henry and Dame Anne Vernon. He died in 1517. The bust shows him holding a book. The small fan vaulting above his head is like the larger fan vaulting in the chapel. This type of vaulting is rare in Shropshire and is similar to Henry VII's Chapel in Westminster Abbey. Arthur Vernon is also remembered with a brass plate set into the floor of the chapel.

War Memorials

The church has three war memorials from the 1900s. On the arch leading to the chancel (the area around the altar) are separate plaques for those from the parish who died in World War I and World War II. The World War I plaque is brass with crossed swords and a shield, dedicated to those "who gave their lives in the great struggle of right against might." There's also a separate plaque for Humphrey Herbert Orlando Bridgeman, who went missing in action in France in 1917.

Church Leaders

James Marshall, who was the vicar between 1845 and 1857, was known for having only one arm (he lost it in a shooting accident). He later became a Catholic. He described the people of Tong as "heathen" and said he left them "unconverted."

The Reverend John E Auden was the priest from 1896 to 1913. He tried to sell the Tong Cup to raise money for the church, but people in the community disagreed. He wrote many books about Tong and its church. He was also the uncle of the famous poet W. H. Auden.

The Very Reverend Robert Martin Colquhoun Jeffery (1935–2016) was the vicar at St Bartholomew's from 1978 to 1987. During this time, he was also made Archdeacon of Salop, overseeing 80 parishes. He later became the Dean of Worcester Cathedral and is buried in the churchyard. Jeffery wrote a book about the church called Discovering Tong: its history, myths & curiosities.

The current priest is the Reverend Prebendary Pippa Thorneycroft. She was one of the first women priests to be ordained in 1994, after the Church of England allowed women to become full clergy. Thorneycroft was also a chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II.

Almshouses with St Bartholomew's Church, Tong in the background
Ruin of the almshouses, with St Bartholomew's church in the background.

See also

  • Grade I listed buildings in Shropshire
  • Listed buildings in Tong, Shropshire
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