St Mary Magdalene Turnastone

Turnastone was one of the smallest parishes in Herefordshire, with a handful of dwellings and mostly farmpasture land. A history of the parish was published by Logaston Press in 2010, currently out of print but available in local libraries. The name derives from a Norman settler, Ralph de Tournai, and an early chapel dedicated to St Leonard is thought to have been near the bridge further up the Slough valley, south-west of the present church. St Leonard is commemorated in a 20th-century stained glass window in the chancel. From 2019 the parish has merged with Vowchurch, managed by a joint PCC and alternating services between the two churches.

The church building dates from the late 12th century with a font bowl of similar date and a handsome barrel roof dated about 1500. The interior walls are adorned with some fine monuments, notably that to Thomas Aparri (ap Harry) of Poston who died in 1522, and the memorial to Mary Traunter (died 1685, age 18). A brass memorial plaque commemorates the men of the parish who served in World War I.

There is a timber belfry, with two bells (currently out of use), one dating from early 16th century.

In an exciting development, this rural church is having a holiday accommodation unit installed, funded by Heritage Lottery as part of the Virtuous Circles project. It will be a light-touch approach to continuing the long history of the building.