Bitterley Lane Bitterley Ludlow
07932 606420

In the centre of the village Cleeton St Mary Cleobury Mortimer
01746718127
https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/10471/benefice/

Before 1876 Cleeton had no church of its own and was part of Bitterley parish. This Victorian church was part of a building project between 1860 and 1880 along with the Almshouses, Schoolhouse and Rectory by the Revd George Pardoe, vicar of Bitterley, to provide for the quarrying and scattered hill-farming community on this side of the Titterstone Clee. Starting as a chapel of the church in Bitterley, a new parish was later created for the church by taking portions from Bitterley, Farlow and Silvington.

St Mary's church was built between 1876 and 1878 by Thomas Nicholson of Hereford: in Nikolaus Pevsner's first edition of 'The Buildings of England' it is described as 'of no architectural interest'. We suspect that Pevsner didn't go inside! Whilst we have to admit that the outside of the church is definitely functional, the inside is a complete Victorian gem, designed all of a piece by Nicholson, including the font and the rood screen.

We would also claim to have the best churchyard in the diocese (but see the entry for St Giles, Farlow): to the south, the moorland curves up to the eerie radar station fittings on top of the Titterstone Clee; to the north is the highest hill in Shropshire, the Brown Clee; to the north-east, on a clear day, you can see Cannock Chase, and a faint smudge on the horizon that is the Derbyshire Peak at the end of the Pennine chain.

The church is kept open, with refreshments available, as this is a popular stopping-off point for walkers on the Clees.

Regular services are:

Second Sunday in the month: Holy Communion at 9:00 am, using the Common Worship service, and with hymns, lasting about 45 minutes.

Fourth Sunday in the month: Evening Prayer at 4:00 pm, using a shortened form of the Common Worship evening service, also with hymns, and lasting about 30 minutes.    

 

Middleton Ludlow
07932606420

The growing congregation (average 20+ in 2010) of this tiny Norman chapel has developed a reputation for its warm welcome and friendly atmosphere. The interior of the church is relatively simple, with a rare 16th century screen and a pulpit of the same era. The font and some of the stained glass date from extensive "renovation" in the mid-1800s by local landowner Sir Charles Rouse-Boughton, who was also responsible for the addition of the porch, lych-gate and the replacement of a small bell tower with a bellcote. The churchyard, with its Spring showing of cherry blossom and rhododendrons, contains only six graves (of members of the Rouse-Boughton family) is kept immaculate thanks to the Downton Hall estate.

Services are Book of Common Prayer.