I have been meaning to visit this church for literally years - I used to pass the signs every day on the way to work!
What a treat when I did finally venture up the road to this ancient Saxon church; the first picture is of the south side of the church, with one of the original Saxon windows clearly visible high up in the west end of the south wall.
The church has two transepts (side chapels). The southern porticus is shown on the picture above.
Here is a photo looking west from the chancel step - the west gallery contains a fine pipe organ and the choir stalls. The gallery was constructed as a gift of Anthony Lynton, in 1610, and the organ was donated in 1903 by Sir Weetman and Lady Pearson (later Viscount and Viscountess Cowdray) to commemorate the coming of age of their eldest son.
The fabulous Saxon chancel arch is the dominant feature of the building is 22' high and 14' width and is one of the largest pre-conquest arches still standing.
Here are the church banner and 13th century font.
The large chancel with curved east wall is surprisingly large for a church of this age and is unique in England. The church was built in a clearing in a sparsely populated forest - much too large for the needs of local people; however it does appear to have been a place of considerable importance, perhaps the location of a college of secular or monastic clergy.
The tower was built by the Victorians.
Digital photographs
Visitors to this album since June 2003
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