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