Kempley - St Mary's Church

The simple Norman church, built around 1130, is now remote from the village it once served. The village was moved to higher grounds over the centuries as the area here was liable for floodings.

In 1999 a dendrochronology test on the oak roof of the church proved, that the roof was the oldest medieval roof in Britain ever tested, dating back to 1120–1150.

This humble church has some of the best preserved medieval wall paintings in Britain, dating from the early 12th century.

The paintings, having been covered with whitewash, were rediscovered in 1872 during preparation for renovations. The renovation plans were dropped then and the paintings uncovered and conserved.

The exceptional decoration of this tiny church is dueto patronage by one of the wealthiest early Norman families, the de Lacys. Walter de Lacy fought with William the Conquerer and gained land in England and Wales, After he died in 1085 (reputedly falling from a ladder) his body was taken to Gloucester for burial. It may have rested briefly here.