St Mary the Virgin, Lytchett Matravers

St Mary the Virgin stands in the village of Lytchett Matravers in Dorset. It is the parish church of the Church of England and belongs to the Diocese of Salisbury. The building is listed Grade I for its historic significance. The churchyard contains a yew tree at least 1,700 years old, suggesting the site has been sacred for centuries. The west tower, nave and chancel were built around 1200, with the north aisle added in the 14th century. The tower’s arch dates from 1200, while its pinnacles were carved about 1500. The church holds evidence of its long history and changing fortunes. A monumental brass from the late 15th century shows the rector Thomas Pethyn in a rare cadaver style. During the Black Death the village moved away and worship shifted to a chapel, but the church was restored in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the English Civil War Parliamentarian troops damaged a tomb in the north aisle, believed to be of the Arundel or Maltravers family. The Arundel family funded repairs in the 17th century and worship returned. Inside, the church contains a mix of old and newer furnishings. The pipe organ installed in 1891 replaced a barrel organ and was rebuilt several times before being replaced by an electronic organ in 1992. A vestry extension was built behind the organ, hidden from view by the pipes. The north transept was extended in 1993 to provide a vestry and small upper room for Sunday school. The churchyard holds the grave of footballer Fred Pentland, who died in 1962. The tower contains six bells, with the oldest dating from about 1400 and others cast in 1616, 1684 and 1931.