Wonersh Church History: The First 500 Years

Exodus 35:35
He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.

This account draws heavily on work by:

• Wonersh History Society

• Parishes: Wonersh (British History Online – Victoria County History, 1911)

• History of the Church by Revd A. L. Brown

• The History and Antiquities of Surrey, Manning & Bray, 1811 (Manning visited Wonersh Church shortly before the alterations of 1793/4)

• John Aubrey’s Perambulations of Surrey (c.1690)

Pre-Conquest (Saxon)

The nave's north wall may be part of a pre-Conquest church, potentially dating to around 1050. Traces of a double-splayed round-headed Saxon window were discovered during the 1901 restoration. This window had been destroyed when the Norman tower was built against the existing wall. Although the early window could not be preserved, the presence of this and the carved gritstone font base suggests a pre-Conquest chapel.

1066–1200

The Church of St John the Baptist was among three churches in the Manor of Bramley (Brunlei) mentioned in the Domesday Book, likely built shortly after the Norman Conquest by Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, half-brother of William the Conqueror.

Originally a simple Norman chapel of Wonersh (or Woghenersh), then a hamlet in the parish of Shalford (Scandeford), it probably consisted of a modest nave and small sanctuary. The line of the 12th-century nave roof is still visible on the north wall.

The font is a reconstructed version of the original Norman cup-shaped bowl, made using fragments unearthed in 1901. The stem includes a coarse gritstone with ribbed work possibly dating from the Saxon period.

Until 1927, the parish remained in the See of Winchester, within the Deanery of Stoke.

1200–1536

The 13th century saw the addition of the tower (likely c.1180) and a significant rebuilding of the chancel. The current chancel roof, from 1901, follows the line of this earlier structure. Three lancet windows were located on each side of the chancel, and likely three in the east wall (later replaced in the 14th century).

• The tower arch is square-edged and pointed, dated to about 1180.

• Early beams of the original wooden shingled spire remain in the belfry.

By 1295 and 1304/5, Wonersh was recorded as an “ecclesia” or parish church, with its own rectory and advowson (patronage) granted by Edward I to the Hospital of St Mary without Bishopsgate.

The Crypt / Sacristy

A unique feature is the sacristy or crypt off the north chancel, roofed with a tunnel vault and dormer windows. Partly destroyed in 1793, its floor (laid with 14th-century encaustic tiles) is 5 feet below the current church level. John Aubrey (c.1690) described it as “a vault strongly barricaded with iron,” likely used for storage, relics, or as a charnel house.

Patronage

From 1308 to 1536, the Prior of St Mary’s was Rector and Patron, responsible for maintenance and receiving income from the Great Tithes. The Vicar handled parish duties and received the Small Tithes.

Structural Additions

• A south-east chapel (likely dedicated to the Virgin Mary) was added in the late 12th century (destroyed in the 18th century).

• In the early 15th century, a south aisle was added, more than 10 ft wider than the nave, with three arches connecting it. Most of this was removed in 1793.

• A leper squint in the chancel north wall dates from this period, likely added for those excluded from worship.

North Chapel (15th Century)

• Built c.1420, with a richly moulded arch into the chancel.

• Possibly a Guild Chapel for Wonersh weavers.

• Robert Risbridge (d.1488) bequeathed “one cow for the upkeep of the light of St Mary of Wonersh,” supporting its dedication to the Virgin Mary.

• Features a perpendicular niche and image bracket for a statue.

Rood Screen and Loft (15th Century)

The rood screen, central to medieval worship, stood beneath the chancel arch. Its height and structure are evident from grooves under the arch for a “tympanum” (painted backdrop), and a mortised tie-beam in the chancel. A passage to the rood loft passed through the tower and possibly continued into the south chapel.

Manning (early 1800s) recorded a now-lost grave slab in the nave bearing this inscription:

"Hic jacet Willielmus Viner qui obiit xxxi de Maii 1431. Qui istam trabem fieri fecit. Cujus animae propicietur Deus."
(Here lies William Viner, who died 31 May 1431. Who caused this beam to be made. On whose soul may God have mercy.)

William Viner may have commissioned the rood loft.

Incumbents (1307–1536)

• 1307: Richard Royling (last Norman rector)

• 1308: Geffrey de Berton (first under patronage of St Mary’s Convent)

• 1333: John de Wodeford
  (1345–66 register lost)

• 1367: William Brown

• William Wase

• 1388–96: John Appleton (exchanged with Chipstead)

• 1396–97: Henry Greene (from Chipstead)

• 1396–98: Richard Wrask

• 1396–99: Thomas Cleming
  (1415–46 register lost)

• 1455: John Markewyke

• 1456–71: William Smith

• 1471: John Brown
  (1492–1500 register lost)

• 1536: Robert Russell (last rector under patronage of St Mary’s)

The Reformation (1536–1537)

The Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII removed the Convent’s patronage. The rectory was secularised, and the Church of England was established. The era of monastic vicars ended, and the responsibility for church governance shifted.