St Mary the Virgin is a small parish church and is just outside the village of Ipsden.
The church dates back to the 12th century and was built as a chapelry to North Stoke after an earlier one fell into disrepair. In the photo below you can see the blocked up arcade to the South Aisle which has been lost. The porch was added in 1634
On entering the church you are greeted with a wonderful view down the nave to the 13th century chancel arch
The nave as you can see is light and airy
Near the rear you can see a stone font.
just behind is this beautiful stained glass window.
Above is an organ loft
Along the nave wall are memorials like this one to
- Lieutenant Ben Remnant who is buried at Stiddard General Cemetery in the Netherlands along with 18 other casualties
the detail of the top of Ben Remnants Memorial shows he was part of the Rifle Brigade
On the opposite side you can see the British legion flag and war memorials to the dead of the two wars
going further down the nave you pass these arches which divide off the north aisle which is probably the oldest part of the church.
As with most churches I have visited there is a display of flowers
Looking through to the north aisle you can see the wall has been painted and is probably 12th century
This is the north aisle looking west which was the 12th century Church
The window is Norman though the stained glass is 20th Century
By the pulpit is a stained glass window with a nativity scene
Steps lead up to the chancel where you have choir stalls
The chancel window is quite magnificent for such a small church
Looking west form the chancel
The WI's work is in evidence with the kneeler's
The next four photos are of the church taken with a wide angle lens
Lectern and Pulpit with the 13th century chancel arch
Looking towards the pulpit
The chancel showing the memorials in the chancel floor
Back to my normal lens and a view of the church from the organ loftWandering outside and round the north side of the church you can see the graves most of which are quite old
some with little fences round
others standing alone
some belong to local prominent family's which still live in the area
There are also some interesting looking tombs
going back round the front the headstones are kept in good order.
Unlike other churchyards the grass is well cut
round all the headstones.
I will sign off with a view of the village war memorial which is a little way from the church down a footpath
Have a peaceful Sunday
Taking part in Cemetery Sunday and Tapophile Tragics
There is now a Friends of Ipsden Church
link on the village website to help raise money for the upkeep of this
wonderful little church please pay a visit and read more about it
In October 1943 a Shot Sterling Bomber crashed a mile or so north of the church killing the crew on board Remeber them
Wallace Jones, Terry Edwards, Kenneth Pollitt, Harold Spence, George
Yates, Ervin Spencer and
Leslie Thomas
RIP