Saturday 16 November 2013

St Mary the Virgin North Stoke


This is a second visit to St Mary the Virgin. I first came across it when I went to find a pillbox along by the river. I had to follow a footpath which went past the church so popped in for a look, that was a few years ago. This time I had been down to the local recycling center and took the opportunity to go back for another visit.

The church is along Church Lane and the entrance to the church yard s through this Lych gate.



A verse from scriptures is carved in the gate sides 




After going through the gate you are greeted with this view of the church with the war memorial over in the left








The churchyard is quite full of old headstones though it is not on a slope it's me taking the headstone virtical







The entrance to the church is through this wonderful old wooden porch.
One of my reasons for going back was because after I published my blog on Ipsden church I emailed the link to the vicar who was pleased to see it featured and asked if I had visited the other church he looked after in North Stoke, well who am I disappoint I hope I do the church justice.
 Now be amazed








Normally I would take a photo just in the aisle near the door but I felt the font should be in it as it was so simple.










Look down at the floor and you can see it is original quarry stone tiles with beautiful wooden pews along with candle holders











I think this is the first church I have seen with candle holders like this in













But the pulpit with the canopy on has to be the icing on the cake, you can picture a old vicar from the past preaching fire and brimstone from it


 

If you look at the chancel arch here and look at the top of the photo

 You can see this wonderful old heraldic coat of alms on the wall between the beams


Going through the arch brings you to the chancel which looks superb





The altar and chancel window though I'm sorry the photo does not do justice to the window





This is the chancel looking from behind the altar rails, note the old choir stalls




Looking out of the chance arch down the nave.










Even the choir stalls have candle holders.










The real gems in this church are the wall painting you see on the walls





They are on either side and around the chancel arch. I forgot to take photos of the ones round the arch but you can make them out in the previous photos



Some one went to a lot of trouble to write out a better description than I can give so you ca read about them here.



Beside the chancel arch is the church war memorial to the men from the village who lost their lives in the wars
Further along are other memorial










There are also some nice stained glass windows in the church








 The lectern looked unusual until then I noticed the older spindle incorporated into it, this was a last moment photo taken hand held.




Going out into the churchyard you can wander round the older graves



Some sinking and leanig over








Others hidden under branches but still readable and in good condition
 Some the words are lost to time











This one was interesting as it showed a cannon on the top and has an anchor on there as well. It belonged to a  Lieutenant Tho Greenhood who died at the age of 72











 This tomb has a yew tree at each corner and is now becoming covered in moss




This tomb has been covered in ivy



The two crosses here look like they are in a family plot now overgrown



Taking Part in Cemetery Sunday &Taphophile Tragics
Have a peaceful Sunday



24 comments:

  1. What a fascinating place. I especially like the verse carved on wood and the alas faded wall paintings.

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    1. There is another church near me with wall paintings on I need to visit.
      Thanks for coming by

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  2. Beautiful little church. It must have been like stepping back in time. Those wall paintings are amazing.

    Thank you for linking up with Cemetery Sunday.

    Beneath Thy Feet

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    Replies
    1. There is another I have to revisit that you will like

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  3. Wow, what a find. I love the way the patina of age has been allowed to remain without improvement. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. We are lucky, some of these parish churches remain virtually untouched.

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  4. A great post again Bill. How nice to see that all the wood of the church is preserved!

    All the best from the Netherlands,
    dzjiedzjee.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Gert, I admit it was great to see it all there and a bit eye opening

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  5. lovely post. makes me wish to travel overseas to see it in person. just breathtaking. enjoy the stain glass windows & all. thank you for linking up with us at Inspired Sunday.

    have a great week! ( :

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  6. What a fantastic post about this beautiful old church! Louis very much enjoyed the photo tour you assembled!

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    1. Thank you Louis, there are a few more like this in my blog

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  7. I absolutely loved this post! Like Beth says, I would love to see it in person. Thank you for sharing this week. Hope you come back and link up again!

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    1. Thank you Sally, I will return now I have found this linkup and been made so welcome

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  8. Such an unusual church with so many subtle details. Thanks for showing it, Bill.

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    1. Not that unusual in this country, I have come across a few with old wall paintings on them. Thank for coming by

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  9. Thanks for sharing these photos...They are fantastic shots. I wish I could see it in person.

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    1. Well of you ever have the chance I would be glad to show a few of the places to you

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  10. What a wonderful treasure of a place and equally great shots of it!

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  11. This is so beautiful! I love the poppy wreath by the War Memorial - we don't have those in the US. The old stones are very interesting!

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    1. Don't you have little stars & stripes? thought I saw that somewhere. That memorial is a sundial and the first memorial like that I came across.

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  12. Bill, it's always so nice that you take so many photos. It's like a mini travelogue for me! I think the paintings on the wall are especially interesting --- reminds me of some of the frescoes I saw in Italy. This is a simple, but beautiful place.
    Thanks for sharing on Taphophile Tragics. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Jen It is one of the nicer churches I have seen

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