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Parish of St. Mary the Virgin, Lewisham |
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The Medieval Church |
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Rebuilt probably in the 15th century the medieval church was a small vernacular building with its floor some 10 feet lower than that of the present building. There was a double roof over the nave and aisle, a decorated ceiling and a tiled floor. A few monuments from the old church survive in the present church notably those to Margaret Valentine (the wife of Rev. Abraham Colfe), Rev. George Stanhope, and a small brass to George Hatteclyff who died in 1514. |
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Two very strong and impressive priests: John Glyn and Abraham Colfe led their congregations through the disruption and bitterness of the 16th and 17th centuries. Both were to be involved, at separate times, in the establishment of a grammar school (Colfe’s School) in Lewisham. |
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An eighteeenth century drawing of the south front of the medieval church just before its demolition |
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The original Colfe’s Grammar School buildings on the original site in Lewisham Hill (A.R. Martin Collection Lewisham Local Studies Library) |