Saturday, 21 August 2021

St Georges Hatford

 

 I took a chance on visiting this church after looking around Pusey and was unsure if it was going to be open. I did find it looked but after looking around it found it a very charming little church. There is quite some history on Wikipedia :-

"Hatford has had two Anglican parish churches. The later of these, the church of the Holy Trinity (built in 1873–4 to a design by William Wigginton) became dilapidated and was finally deconsecrated and sold in 1972, for use as a private dwelling. The older Saint George's was reopened in the same year, reroofed in 1973 and reglazed in 1974; reinstated as Hatford's place of worship.

St George's stands on the site of the Saxon church mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. It is mostly Early English Gothic, with a Norman south doorway to nave and chancel arch and a Norman font. One Saxon window is still visible. There is a sundial carved into the stone near the doorway.

On 29 April 1555 Anne Dudley, the widowed Countess of Warwick, and Sir Edward Unton of Wadley House were married at St George's. Anne was the daughter of Edward Seymour, the Duke of Somerset and niece to Jane Seymour, who married King Henry VIII."

 
The approach to the church from by the gate
 

Looking towards the west end an the entrance

 
The east end of the church


 
This is around the north side with a blocked off door

 The east end
 
 
The entrance door with stale tiles around the top for some protection

Closer view of the door an hinges, To the right you can see the lower part of three iron hinges that would have held a door, on the left the wooden lock
 

 I suspect this is the sundial they mentioned in the history which was a mass dial to tell people when the services were
 
 
It looks like there has been  a couple of mass dials made here

Head carving from Norman times

 
The old sundial is nearer the west end

 
Looking along the south side of the church were all you can see are a couple of family tombs at the end

 
This one is quite large and has a small fence around it

The other side one with an even taller fence


Going around the north side over by the wall you find a lot of headstones piled up

 
The door was looked but Looking through the windows you could see in the church. This is looking though the east window at the chancel

Looking through the window on the north side at the altar in the chancel
 
 
This is the other end of the chancel

 
This is going into the nave beside the chancel arch

 
at the west end by the font

 
Looking from the south west window, you can see a balcony to the left

 
Back to the chancel arch

 
The chancel where you can see a tomb recess with effigy in it 

That's all I could get of the church I will see if I can return to get photos inside as it really does look an interesting church to visit.

Till next time I wish you all a pleasant weekend




15 comments:

William Kendall said...

It feels ancient, but well cared for.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

It looks a fascinating little place - and with very clean windows as you've managed some nice clear shots of the interior!

Linda P said...

The low windows meant you had a good view into this ancient church. I hope you can return when the church is open.

Billy Blue Eyes said...

Yes it does look that way, at least most of the grass is cut

Billy Blue Eyes said...

Yes that was a bonus though they could have been cleaner

Billy Blue Eyes said...

I hope to return, just need to find out who can let me in

♥ Łucja-Maria ♥ said...

Early English Gothic deserves special attention. I was also delighted with the beautiful portals and Norman elements of architecture.
Have a nice, relaxing Sunday, Billy:)

Linda said...

It has seen many years of history. Charming entrance door.

Octapolis said...

nice atmospheric pictures! ;o)

PerthDailyPhoto said...

St George's is a sturdy small church Bill and as you say rather charming in its simplicity. Enjoyed the wee peek inside. I've always been fascinated with sundials, so enjoyed seeing these ancient sundials here ✨

Billy Blue Eyes said...

It was rather special to look around

Billy Blue Eyes said...

Yes it has and I'm glad it is still in use

Billy Blue Eyes said...

Thank you

Billy Blue Eyes said...

I love finding them on churches even the ones I spotted on our village church

The Greenockian said...

Absolutely beautiful and so old! Looks really atmospheric inside. Love all the carvings.