St Mary the Virgin Church Stratfield Saye House Hampshire + John Pitt

A Pastoral World

The architectural historian Howard Colvin reckoned the church was designed by John Pitt (c.1706 to 1787), son of then owner of Stratfield Saye House, George Pitt MP (1663 to 1735). If so, St Mary the Virgin is an incredibly accomplished and stylish affair by a relatively unknown amateur architect. The Veneto comes to Hampshire.

The spacious approach past the mid 19th century Italianate Pheasantry Lodge along an avenue through parkland ending with a gated path to the entrance augments its appeal. Erected in 1758, the church was dedicated by John Thomas Bishop of Salisbury in 1784. Built in the shape of a Greek cross, four pedimented projections radiate from a central domed low octagonal tower.

The simplicity of the exterior relying on materiality (a red and green palette of brick walls and copper roofs) and rationality of proportion (using the irrational number of the golden ratio) is a lesson for current practising neoclassicists. There is something of Sir John Vanbrugh about the elevations, especially the three circular windows over the west facing entrance loggia. A Palladian touch is apparent in the east facing Serlian window. In 1734 George Pitt bought Encombe Park in Kingston, Dorset, and gifted it to his son John. The rebuilt house is attributed to John Pitt and also displays Vanbrughian and Palladian influences.

Memorials inside the church include a marble plaque stating: “This urn encloses the ashes of Gerald 7th Duke of Wellington, KG Lord Lieutenant of the County of London 1944 to 1949, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire 1949 to 1960, Governor of the Isle of Wight 1956 to 1965, first Chancellor of the University of Southampton 1951 to 1962. Born 21 August 1885. Died 4 January 1972.” A 17th century alabaster Pitt family group sculpture in the south transept predates the current building.

The perfection of the architecture owes much to a comprehensive 1965 restoration carried out by Peter Sawyer. He removed render to expose the fine red English bond brickwork. A later wing was demolished and the fenestration tidied up. Symmetry was restored to the plan and elevations. Little wonder it is Grade I Listed for architectural and historical reasons.