SALFORD

The list of incumbents at Salford goes back to 1229, but the present church is entirely of later date. The nave and south aisle were built in the late C13th and the chancel in the early C14th The timber-framed north porch includes a beam with C13th dogtooth ornament. The nave roof dates from the C15th and there are some C15th pews. The church also has monuments to the Salford, Polein and Peddar families.

In 1552 it was noted that “the said churche and steple coveryd with lede and the chancell and porch tyled”. The inventory also lists the mediaeval plate, ornaments, and three bells one of which still hangs in the open bellcote over the west end of the church. In 1617 the church was reported to be out of repair. One of the bells was recast in 1626 and another (now lost) in 1661. Dates of 1632 on a beam in the nave roof and 1633 in the porch clearly relate to repairs at that time. A new chalice and paten were obtained in 1638. The plate was later supplemented by the gift of a salver (hallmarked 1763) in 1771 and a flagon in 1802.

In 1750 the benefices of Hulcote and Salford were united, and from this date the churches share a similar history. Salford Vicarage was demolished when the Rectory at Hulcote was repaired and enlarged in 1824.

At some time around 1760, the original “steeple” over the west end of the church was taken down and replaced by a new tower of brick with comer pinnacles, pyramid roof and weathervane. When William White reported on the condition of the church in 1866 he considered the tower to have been built about a hundred years earlier. He also noted that it was built from the oak beams which carried the original bell turret. There was also a west gallery under the belfry. At about the same time, c.1760, the chancel was partially rebuilt and a plaster ceiling erected. Visiting in 1827, Boissier described Salford as “a small poor Decorated church with low tower & N porch”. Some repairs were ordered by Bonney in 1823 and 1833.

In 1836 the church was re-pewed, the south doors stopped up and other improvements carried out at the expense of the parish. Hulcote church was also repaired after the work at Salford had been completed.