Aldermaston - Parish Church

Parish Church

The Church of England parish church of Saint Mary the Virgin and was built in the mid 12th century. The Norman building was altered throughout the following millennium, particularly in 13th, 14th, 15th and 17th centuries. The 12th-century building now comprises the current nave, with additions seen in the Forster Chapel and chancel (13th century), the steeple (14th century), and vestry (17th century). The 17th-century Jacobean pulpit is an unusual heptagonal design. Various additions were made to the structure in the 14th and 15th centuries, primarily to the walls and ogee windows. A scratch dial was added to the south-west buttress in the 14th century.

The church features architecture by Edward Doran Webb and stained glass by Charles Eamer Kempe. The Forster Chapel, a lady chapel added to the south face in the 13th century, contains the alabaster effigial monument of Sir George Forster and his wife Elizabeth which was built in 1530. Evidence suggests that the chapel may originally have been a chantry dedicated to St Nicholas. The roundel windows in the north wall date from the 13th century and are the oldest glass in Berkshire.

The tower has a peal of eight bells dating from 1681 to 1900. The current organ, which has 16 stops, was installed in 1880.

Individuals buried in the churchyard include squires Charles Keyser (1847–1929) and Daniel Burr (c.1811–1885), schoolmaster John Stair (c.1745–1820), and Maria Hale (1791–1879).