Church of St. Mary, Odstock

16th century monument with inscriptions to the Webb family of the 18th century.

The church comprises a three-bay nave, chancel, west tower and north porch. The chancel is believed to date from the 12th century and to have been remodelled in the 13th century. The nave dates from the 13th century and the arch to the low west tower is of the 14th century. The pulpit carries the date 1580 and the inscription, “God bless and save our royal Queen, the lyke on earth was never seen”. The font at the west end of the nave is of the 13th century. Remodelling of the church was carried out in 1870 by J. Fowler of Louth and included replacement of the pews and choir stalls.

A gravestone in the churchyard marks the burial place of Joshua Scamp, the gipsy whose fate is told in the story of the Odstock curse; this story is recounted in the thumbnail history of Odstock on this site.

St. Mary’s Church baptism, marriage and burial registers survive from 1541; to 1990/1991 they are held at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre in Chippenham. Subsequent registers remain with the church.