The Site:
The tumulus on which the Church stands is of uncertain date and may have pre-Christian pagan associations. There is an Iron-age settlement in the village a -g- mile to the north, and Roman coins have been found here in the churchyard. The chancel stands about central on the tumulus, with the tower alongside on the highest ground. Formerly many fine elms grew around the perimeter, these unfortunately all became victims of the Dutch elm desease.
Dedidcation:
Arilda is a local saint of Saxon times. AH that is known of her is recorded by the historian Leland "Saynt Arild Virgin, martired at Kineton ny Thornberye by one Muncius a tiraunt, who cut off hir heade becawse she would not consent to lye with him". She was later buried in the crypt of Gloucester Cathedral where the monks said many miracles were done in her name. The only other church in the country dedicated to her is at Oldbury-on-the-Hill, about 15 miles away.
The Church in Oldbury:
The Church began as a Free-chapel within the parish of Thornbury, and the first priest was inducted by Bishop G-iffard of Worcester in 1283. Free-chapels were independant of the parish churches and had their own endowment, a survey of 1546 had this to say of Oldbury - "Certeyn lands there given . . the rents wherof at sometimes bestowed in finding a prieste, but comonlie in mendynge of highe weys and relevynge poore people". The income from the land was only 14s. 9&. (74p.) a year, but country priests often supplimented their income by farming glebe-land, William Tyllyn here in 1559 had 2 cows and a sheep to leave in his will.
Most free-chapels were suppressed by Edward VI and their buildings demolished or sold, but Oldbury survived) perhaps the surveyors words "where they use in every poynt as in a parishe church" saved it.
In the turmoil of the Reformation one villager found himself in trouble, John Clement was charged at the Bishop's court "that he usethe not the sacrament of the aultere reverntly but callethe it baggage". He apologised and seems to have got off without punishment.
Services were maintained by clergy from Thornbury, and although a survey of benefices in 1650 reported that "Oldbury & Cowhill are fit to be a parish" it was not until 1863 that parochial status came, and the first Rector, Rev. J. Field was inducted.
The Dean & Chapter of Christ Church, Oxford, as patrons of the living appointed Rectors until 1976, and since I984 Oldbury has shared a Priest-in-Charge with two neighbouring parishes which may eventually become a united benefice.
The Building:
"The Nave & Aisles were originally built in the 13th century. The arcades arp rather singular in construction and most interesting, the mouldings are continuous from base to base of each pier without the usual capitals at the springing of the arch, the bases are well elevated and handsome, they are of excellent design and workmanship. The tower was erected in the 15th century". (From a report by F. Waller, Architect).
By 1542 the parishioners were complaining that the chancel was "in suche ruine and decaye that the curate was fayne and compelled to celebrate masse in the bodie of the churche".
The Great Storm of 1703 badly damaged the walls and roof, and the steeple had to be taken down. The estimate for repairs was £1,000, and a nationwide appeal brought money from as far away as "Warrington, Norwich and Margate. The s;teeple was not replaced, but a weathercock dated 1717 was set up on the tower.
In the mid-19th c. the church was once again described as "little more than a ruin" so a thorough restoration was carried out in 1884-5• The chancel screen and high box-pews were removed, and a new roof of Bros-ely tiles replaced the previous one of lead.
Disaster struck on Oct. 31st 1897 when the whole building excepting the porches was gutted by fire. The roof and all the furnishings were completely destroyed, even the free-stone arches were so badly damaged that they had to be rebuilt. Most of what you see now is modern, but all is a faithfull copy of the old building, even its inaccuracies were repeated, the S. arcade is nearly 1ft higher than the N. Recently new windows of clear glass replaced the diamond-shaped panes of I899, they are historically correct, the ancient church had clear glass in square panes.
As you leave observe the parapet on the N, porch possibly the most splendid you have seen on a village church. On the left-hand side of the porch a consecration cross can still be faintly seen.
Bells:
Bigland's "Gloucestershire" mentions the tower containing a bell in 1792, and tells of an earlier "Great Bell named Gabriel" that was sold by a churchwarden "for his own use". The one which perished in the fire was cast by Mears of Gloucester in 1844, the present bell was cast by Llewellin & James of Bristol in 1899, and was the gift of Mr. J. Barnard, father of the Rector at that time.
Font:
At sometime the original Font had been removed to the churchyard, and later to Thornbury Castle, and replaced by one "in the Grecian style" which was put in the middle aisle. At the restoration of 18&5 the original was returned and reinstated only to be destroyed in the fire 12 years later, the present one is an exact replica made from measurements and photographs. The "Grecian" font was given to the Cathedral of Suva, in the Fiji Islands, where it is still in use.
Music:
A choir here in 1742 undertook to practice regularly or be fined £2\ We do not know what accompaniment they had, if any, but in Victorian times a harmonium was used until 1892 when the first pipe organ was installed, and replaced after the fire by the present one in 1907.
Registers:
Two Registers of Baptisms., Marriages, and Burials, 1538 - 1730 are in Gloucester County Record Office, all the others were burnt in 1&97, although some entries for Oldbury are to be found in the Thornbury registers, also in Gloucester CRO.
Postscript:
We hope that on your visit the weather allowed you the splendid views from the churchyard, there are seats at the best spots for your use. And perhaps thank those conservative parishoners (now long departed) who rejected proposals in 1883 & 1897 to build a new church in the centre of the village.
[Source: Church information sheet]