Overton is perhaps best known for the magnificent ancient yew trees in the churchyard, one of “the Seven Wonders of Wales”. The oldest is thought to be 1500- 2000 years old.
The Church, which is dedicated to Saint Mary the Virgin, may well be on the site of a wattle and daub structure dating back as far as the seventh century. The first stone church, of which no trace now remains, was probably built in the late twelfth century. In the late fourteenth century a church was built on the present site, consisting of a tower and nave. In the late fifteenth century the nave was demolished and a larger one was built. The Hanoverian chancel was added in 1710. In 1819 the north aisle was widened, and a vestry was built on the south side of the tower. The south aisle was added in 1855. The church was extensively restored in 1868/1869, and was re-opened on 9 August 1870.
The church tower dates from the 14th-Century and houses a peel of 6 bells, and a clock by Joyce of Whitchurch incorporating their patent escapement mechanism, in common with “Big Ben”.
The Norman circle cross, built into the west pillar of the nave, is probably the oldest stonework, and the weathered shaft of a 14th-century cross stands beneath a yew tree. An oak chest with heavy iron work probably dates from the 15th-century.
Much older still, believed to date from the 6th-century, is an unusual Abyssinian brass processional cross with a calendar stick in Indian script. Other treasures to seek out are an east window by Clayton & Bell, 3 Kempe windows in the south aisle (1890), with Kempe’s “Wheatsheaf“ signature on the clasp of the Magi’s cloak.
“If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.
There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page found via the Bookmark list”