It is probable that a Norman church was founded here in the 12^th century. By the early 13^th century Stephen de Bollers, who adopted the name Stephen de Hope became Lord of the Manor and Patron of the church. In 1248, Nicholas became the first recorded incumbent.

The church records of baptisms, births and deaths begin in 1564 and a chalice of 1571 survives.

If the incumbent’s board is accepted as a full record then the turmoil of the Reformation and the Commonwealth had little impact with no change of incumbent during these turbulent times. In 1547, relics from Hope Bowdler Church were publicly burned at Much Wenlock together with ‘the bones of ‘St. Milburga’ taken from Wenlock Abbey following an official visitation to curb the rural population in their ‘idolatrous ways.’

There is strong tradition of good music at St. Andrews. In the late 18^th century, under the instruction of John Croxton, Clerk of the Parish, a gallery was added where ‘only singers and musicians were admitted.’ A newspaper cutting refers to oboe, cello and violin providing accompaniment.

In 1828 Moses George Benson purchased the Manor of Hope Bowdler and became the Patron of the church – and so began a long association with the Benson family, then of Lutwych Hall which would continue until 1950 when Major G. R. Benson gave the patronage to the Hereford Diocesan Patronage board.

In 1851, the church contained 90 seats – ‘all owned or rented.’

A sketch made by the Revd. J Brooke in 1859, a copy of which can be seen near the font, shows the old medieval church with a nave, a chancel, a south porch and a tower with a distinctive pyramidal roof. The church had noticeably small windows, so the interior would have been dark and probably dank. According to record fresh straw was laid upon the floor every Sunday.

In 1860, Riou George Benson the youngest son of Moses George Benson was appointed Rector. Riou was named after an ancestor who is reputed to have been Nelson’s Flag Captain.

Two years after his inauguration the church was rebuilt under the following instructions: ‘Carefully take down the whole of the present church except the tower. Clean and store the old materials for re-use as sound and suitable.’ Stone from Soudley Quarry was used in the foundations and walls, but for window arches, doorways etc. stone from Soudley, Hoar Edge or Grinsall could be used according to the builders preference. Roof tiles were to be the ‘best Broseley’ and ‘floor tiles from Staffordshire.’ The architect was Mr. S. Pountney Smith of Shrewsbury who supervised the rebuilding – total cost £500. The original ancient font was replaced on a new plinth and the Jacobean pulpit bearing date 1639 survived.

The Bishop of Hereford consecrated the new church on September 15^th 1863 and the ‘Wellington Journal’ reported that: ‘the site of the new church is the same as that which occupied the old church, which having become dilapidated and unfit for the purpose of public worship was pulled down and re-built on a much larger scale and in a more convenient style.’

The stained glass is a feature of the church. One window in the vestry is dedicated in memory of John Stainer, Rector of the Parish from 1777 – 1806. It bears the Stainer family crest and the crest of the county of Hereford. The other vestry window honours Philippi Henrici Benson de Lutwyche and was dedicated by Revd. Riou George Benson in 1866. In the church itself, the oldest windows are those behind the altar which depict scenes from the life of Christ and are in memory of Robert Curtis and his wife Elizabeth and were purchased by their son George who was Rector of St Andrew’s between 1852 - 1860. Either side of the nave the windows commemorate Queen Victoria, Henrietta Goulden and various members of the Benson family. The most recent window, opposite the church door, was created in 1967 in memory of four members of the Benson family and is made from glass collected by Revd. Riou George Benson. Starting at the top, you can see a heraldic panel dated approx. 1800. Below is an image of St Martin - probably 19^th Century. Next is a collection of 13^th and 14^th century glass. The fourth panel is a stained and painted Flemish design. The lowest panel is Swiss in origin and is probably early 19^th century.

The lych-gate, built in 1863, is a unique feature – the only one in Shropshire with a coffin stone. Long established Irish Yews provide a shaded pathway to the church porch. Many ancient tombstones, often with faded or crumbling engravings, dominate the churchyard. The oldest gravestone, dated 15^th March 1657, is in memory of Francis Phillips of Chelmick and bears a scull and crossbones motif. The nigh on illegible words of another severely weathered gravestone dated 1759, in memory of Edward and Frances Knott deserve recording:

In the quarry where this stone was got.
Edward mischanced to fall, it was his lot.
Time for preparation it was small.
God will have mercy on us all.
That was all that could be said.
When in one minute he was well and dead.

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