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/early 13th century with a font bowl of similar date and a handsome barrel roof dated about 1500. Having fallen into a poor state of repair, the church was restored in the late 19th century. 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 2019 repairs were carried out to the stonework of the main fabric, together with the stone, woodwork and windows of the porch, and specialist conservation of the monument to Mary Traunter.

Holiday accommodation unit is being funded by Heritage Lottery as part of the Virtuous Circles project.

Fabric repairs in 2019 were supported by HHCT, among others.