Frampton Mansell


Frampton Mansell is a small English village 5 miles east-south-east of Stroud, in the parish of Sapperton. It lies off the A419 road between Stroud and Cirencester. It has a prominent mid-19th century, Grade II listed church with a set of five original stained-glass windows.

Village

Frampton Mansell lies in the valley of the River Frome, from which it takes its name. It was first mentioned in the Domesday Book, as Moises Frampton. In the 13th century the manor was held by the Maunsell family, from whom the second part of the name is derived.
Frampton has a village hall and a pub, the Crown Inn, which is a "cider house" that also offers meals and accommodation. The canal, the river and the railway all follow the valley down towards Stroud. The railway viaduct is a well-known feature and occasional steam excursions along the valley are popular with trainspotters.
The village is served by several bus routes. The nearest railway station is at Stroud, 6.6 miles away.

Parish church

St Luke's Church in Frampton Mansell was built in 1843 by Lord Bathurst as a chapel of ease for the village. and consecrated the following year. It saved local churchgoers a two-mile walk to Sapperton Church.
St Luke's is an English Heritage Grade II listed building in a prominent hilltop position. It is in Neo-Norman style, designed by J. Parish, and reminiscent of the Alpine churches of northern Italy. A set of five original stained glass windows lighting the apse are dedicated to Christ and the Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The church and its congregation belong to the Diocese of Gloucester and the Thameshead group of parishes. Closure in 1979 was averted by the foundation of a new local charity to restore and maintain the building. There is a Sunday service about four times a month.