St Mary the Virgin Ipsden

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 loft

Wandering 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