This week the Church Explorer takes you to St Andrew Bredwardine this third of the churches on his Clerics Trail tour and one of the more important as Kilvert was vicar here and is where he is buried. When I got here I notice people walking around the churchyard and asked if they were looking for Kilvert, the answer was yes and told me where to go. I do wonder if they went around the church
The history is from The National Churches Trust website as I can find none on Wikipedia
"The church is Norman, although there is evidence of a Saxon church, and parts of the chancel may be of Saxon date. The chancel is at such a pronounced angle to the nave that some members of the congregation cannot see the altar.
There is early stone carving on the lintels of both the south and (blocked) north doorways; the north doorway has two figures, one with a bird's head and the other perhaps with a monkey's head.
In the church are a huge bowl shaped Norman font, and the effigies of two knights, one is from the 13th century and the other is from the 14th century. The latter is of Sir Roger Vaughan, who died defending Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
In the churchyard, on the north side, is the grave of Francis Kilvert, Rector here for two years until his death in 1879. His diaries record the lives of the people of this area, and his descriptions of the seasons, the weather and the Border countryside and its way of life are among the best of their kind."
You can also read about it in a board outside the churchyard
Most of the church is hidden from the road son the south side is the view most people will see when they visit
West end of the church
North side showing the off set tower
The porch were if you go in you will see another Norman doorway
I wonder if the tympanum was carved or just plain
There is quite a big churchyard
This one stands out but it was not who I thought it might be it belongs to William Broom Giles and his wife Ellen Amie
Lots of ole headstones
Double headstone inscription still legible
Solitary grave near the entrance, beyond is the current cemetery and where I found out later where Kilverts wife is buried
Inside the church with I found much nicer that some other I visited the same day
Looking down the nave
Near to the chancel
Choir stalls and altar
The altar and beautiful altar cloth
The reredos behind I thougth amazing
Behind that the east window
The altar rails were amazing
With word carved in them.They were made local by James and George Brierly
Another view of the reredos
View to the back of the church
Moving to the left slightly
Portrait view
From in front of the pulpit
Standing where Kilver would have looking at the congregation
It also gives a good view of the chancel
The organ
This was on show on the north wall
I think these are tin plate and Victorian
Effigy of Walter Baskerville
The effigy of Sir Robert Vaughn is in much better condition
Quite a few memorials to see
Nice brass Roll of Honour
This one from the Second World War
Couple of wall hangings
Choir stalls
Over on the north side of the chancel
Near the entrance you will find some famed information on Kilvert
One on his diary and a photo of him
The other about his grave and his wife's
I cropped this part to show. I must admit I looked over to where the cemetery where his wife is buried but had not read the information or I would have gone over and taken a photo of her grave. I find it really sad she is not buried with him
There is a kitchen are at the back
You can also find a tomb lid near the chancel
List of past vicars, you can see Francis Kilver listed in 1877
Last view of the church from the font
I noticed a prayer on the pulpit lectern so I will leave you with that.
Till next time may I wish you all a peaceful week
