Kilvington

St Mary

Newark Archdeaconry

Newark and Southwell Deanery

Introduction

No mention is made of a church at Kilvington in Domesday Book, though the place was, at an early date, linked with the nearby hamlet of Alverton in terms of land holding. The village evidently always had a low population as the church registers record only four baptisms between 1780 and 1800.

Little is known of the medieval church which once stood here. Throsby writing in 1790 described the church simply as having a low tower with two bells. In 1826 the rectory of Kilvington was consolidated with Staunton and the church was allowed to become a ruin. A description in 1843 recorded that the church ‘had become useless’ with the roof of the chancel and all the pews removed; the bells had been recast with those of Staunton and although the walls appeared sound the fabric was on sale for its materials.

In 1852 a new church was constructed entirely replacing the medieval building. It now comprises a nave with north aisle, chancel, south porch, and west tower. Additional work was undertaken in 1862 and a restoration in 1897. The north aisle arcade may be retooled and reused medieval work and is of Early English design.

The tower has a pyramidal roof with paired-lancet bell openings and contains two bells simply supported on two fir beams. The dates of both bells are c1854 by J Warner and Sons, London.

Above the chancel arch is a painted inscription ‘Give ear O Lord unto my prayer’, and above the tower arch ‘Praise God in his Sanctuary’; they have been repainted in modern times though probably originate from the period of rebuilding or restoration.

Particular thanks to Richard Bates and Peter Ryder for research on this entry
and to Geoff Buxton and Chris Brooke for the photographs.