St Bartholomew’s Church, Tong

Often described as “The Westminster Abbey of the Midlands”; the Collegiate Church of St Bartholomew is a 15th-century Gothic-style church in the village of Tong, Shropshire, notable for its architecture and fittings, including its fan-vaulting and numerous tombs.

The church is renowned as a “treasure house” for its historical and architectural significance, and is listed as a Grade 1 historical building, primarily because the present building has remained almost intact for over 600 years, with only one later addition, the chantry chapel, called “the Golden Chapel” because of its rich colouring and magnificaent fan-vaulting.

The church’s principal features are its gothic architecture, the Golden Chapel, its superb collection of medieval alabaster tombs and effigies, original wood carving and brass work. Of the many elaborate tombs of important people, one tomb in particular is the tomb of Sir Henry Vernon alongside his wife, who was a trusted adviser of Henry VII and guardian of his son, Prince Arthur (Henry VIII‘s elder brother).

Permission to build the church was granted by Henry IV, with most of the construction taking place during the reign of Henry V. The church that still stands today was built between 1410 and 1430, incorporating a much smaller Norman stone church situated on the site of the present south aisle. The building is almost unaltered since it was built, except for the addition of the Golden Chapel a century later. The ceiling is original carved oak, the ornate oak screens at the head of each aisle are also original, and the medieval paint is still visible.

The church stands in a churchyard and three acres of open field, which was once one of many other buildings on the site. These buildings included the church, college, school and infirmary/almshouse. A 13th-century infirmary (later an almshouse) stood on the far side of the field and one wall is still standing.

From the earliest days, the church and the village were inextricably linked to Tong Castle. The first castle was built at the end of the 11th century, which was given to Roger de Montgomery by his cousin William the Conqueror. The castle was remodelled a few times over the centuries until it was finally demolished in 1954.