Powick is a village about 3 miles from Worcester on the Malvern Road. It stands near the river Teme as it flows into the Severn.
The church is dedicated to St Peter and St Lawrence and was already established by the 12th century. The chancel was rebuilt or lengthened in the first half of the 13th century. In the second half of the 13th century a window was added to the north transcept.
The old tower of Powick church has witnessed some famous and bloody scenes. Within sight of the tower at Powick Bridge were two encounters between the Comwellians and the Royalists during the Civil War – once when Prince Rupert’s men routed a party of Cromwellians who surprised them resting in a field and also at the Battle of Worcester when Montgomery’s Royalists held Powick Bridge for the King for 2 hours until they were cut off.
The tower still bears the scars of the battle to this day. If you look carefully at the tower walls you can see the indentations in the sandstone that were made by the musket balls during the battle.
John Wall was born at Powick in 1708. He was a doctor who attended Worcester Infirmary regularly and wrote many medical treatises. He also painted pictures and had a great interest in art, especially eastern porcelain. It was this interest that led him to experiment in porcelain making at a time when China Clay had not been discovered in England. His experiments were so successful that he opened a factory in Worcester at which he produced fine copies of Japanese, Chinese, Dresden and Sevres styles but with an individuality for which Worcester Porcelain became famous. John Wall died at Bath in 1776.
Powick is also well known for its mental asylum. The County and City Lunatic Asylum consisted of an estate of about 46 acres and was situated halfway between Worcester and Malvern just outside the village of Powick. The asylum was originally erected for the accommodation of 200 inmates but was later extended. The asylum also had a variety of workshops for various trades, a gas works, a farm, brewhouse, bakehouse and a chapel. The staff and resident officers in 1855 numbered 31. The management of the asylum was carried on by a committee of visiting visitors. The treatment of the patients was carried out by a resident physician and qualified assistants. In 1855 James Sherlock Esq.,. M.D., was the Medical Superintendent; Rev Edward Horton, Chaplain, Martin Curtler, Esq., Clerk to the Committee; Mr J C Hume, Clerk and House Steward and Miss Giddings was Matron.
There was a National School at Powick for the education of children of the parish. The school was funded by way of voluntary contributions and payments by the children. It was a mixed school and in 1855 the average number of children that attended the school was 80. Miss Jane Knott was the Mistress at this time.
Photos of Powick Church and Graves can be seen in the Gallery.