I stand to be corrected, but there is no archaeological evidence for a church on the site before St Nicholas. Yes, it is true that churches were often built on promontories, as were many pagan/pre-Christian places of worship. There is, however, no mention of a church at Pyrford in Domesday, in striking contrast to Wisley where Anglo/Saxon footings have been discovered (see Bullen’s history of Wisley with Pyrford). And that is why the official parish title is Wisley with Pyrford: Wisley is a pre-Conquest lay foundation (rectory) while Pyrford was a chapel, serviced by ordained monks from Newark before the Dissolution. It then became a perpetual curacy/vicarage after the Reformation.
Anthony Paice
For further information about St Nicholas Church click here
Leave a Reply