The Mystery?The North Door of St Edward's Church Stow on the Wold is famous and people come from all over the world to take photographs of it. Yet it is just the back door to the church. It is really unusual to have a fancy north door in a church as this is part of the churchyard where the poor people were buried. The wealthy of the parish were buried in the church or at the west and south end of the churchyard. St Edward's is different. The HistoryThe door at the north side of the church is a late addition to the medieval church. After the civil war of the 17th century the church was in a very run down condition. Repairs were undertaken in the late 17th and early 18th century and it is likely that this is when the new north door was built. Around this time the Rector of the parish lived next to the church in the building that is now Stow Lodge Hotel. There is a gate in the wall to allow him to cut through the grounds to the church. Perhaps the north door is so grand because the Rector used it and didn't want to get wet as he walked to church.For hundreds of years we just had a fancy north door. The Lord of the RingsIn the first book of the trilogy the nine members of the fellowship of the ring ( and Bill the pony) are travelling to the Elvish kingdom of Lothlorien. A storm forces them to seek passage thought the mines under the mountain. The entrance is called Durin's door. It has two holly trees either side of it. We can't show you the image for copyright reasons by you can see it here:https://www.stowcivicsociety.co.uk/tolkien-doorJRR Tolkien lived in Oxford and his brother lived in Evesham. It is very possible that Tolkien stopped off in Stow on the Wold for a pie and a pint on his way to visit his relative. What is more interesting perhaps, is that Tolkien has a real feel for landscape and story and he may have discerned an older story in Stow's history. Perhaps Tolkien came across our church on its high point on the hill, the place where the last battle of the English Civil War was fought and he reflected on conflict and the power of friendship.The doors into the mines that the fellowship open were created by a dwarf and and elf. Their races were fierce enemies yet these two became firm friends. This is echoed in the nine members of the fellowship by the friendship between Gimli the Dwarf and Legolas the elf.Might our lovely trees have stood for friendship in challenging times? We don't know for sure but the vicar is a Tolkien nerd and it rings true to her...
Although we try to hold as many weddings as possible at St Edward's Church, sometimes it is not possible to create a qualifying connection by attendance. Couples may live too far away from Stow-on-the-Wold to attend monthly for six months. When this is the case we can hold a wedding blessing in our ancient church if you have been through a civil marriage conducted elsewhere. The blessing service can have all the traditional features of bells, bridesmaids, flowers, hymns and friends and family all dressed up. Alternatively, it can be a blessing with just the couple with or without a few friends. We ask for a donation for a wedding blessing. A team of bellringers, the organist and flowers are charged separately if you want to have a larger service. We have plenty of local hotels and restaurants for a wedding breakfast for two or two hundred. Please contact us on secretary@stedwardsstow.org.uk to find out how we can make your wedding blessing a very special day.The small print: We would need to see a marriage certificate prior to the service. This is a blessing and not a legal marriage service.When we are allowed to do so Revd Karen would love to offer blessings for same sex couples but we are not there yet.
In August there was filming in Condicote for the Sister Boniface Mysteries Season Three. The Pound, with St Nicholas in the background, will be in season three episode three. We understand that filming was also taking place in gardens around the parish. Season 1 is showing on the BBC at the moment and if you have catch up tv you can see all of the first season on the BBC and seasons one and two on U.Those of us who live in the North Cotswolds can spend many hours watching out for local landmarks and shouting at the tv when locations don't match up. The vicar is well known for this when watching Inspector Morse, Lewis and Shoestring.
We love weddings and our four churches of St Mary's Upper and Lower Swell, St Nicholas in Condicote and St Edward's in Stow on the Wold provide a perfect backdrop for your big day. The village churches are small and are perfect for a small country wedding of up to 60 guests. St Edward's Stow on the Wold is much larger and can accommodate up to 220 guests. There is also the iconic north door which provides a frame for unique wedding photos.If you live in the parish then it is really easy and you just need to contact the Revd Karen, the priest in charge of the four churches, on revdkaren@stedwardsstow.org.uk to chat through how we help you plan your wedding.If you don't live in the parish there you can still have your wedding here if you have a qualifying connection. You might have lived in the parish in the past for at least six months, or you were baptised (christened) or confirmed in any of our churches.If your parents or grandparent's were married in one of our churches you can do the same. Finally, if your parents have lived in the parish for at least six months or if you have attended one of our churches for at least six months you can hold your wedding here. If you are not sure then please contact us. If you live too far away to create a qualifying connection you can have a wedding blessing at one of our churches. The official Church of England website is here and has lots of information about planning a wedding.https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/your-church-wedding/just-engaged/finding-church-your-wedding
