St Mary
Tarrant Crawford, Dorset
Ghostly painted tales in a rural church.
In the beautiful village of Shapwick, with its thatched cottages and quiet lanes, and on the banks of the Stour, St Bartholomew's church is a gem.
Shapwick lies in the Hundred of Badbury. In 1238 it was recorded as Shepwyk, the smallest of the four Manors in East Dorset.
St Bartholomew’s church is of Norman 12th century date, with a square tower and restored over the centuries. It has a peal of three bells, one from 1570.
The north chapel has a lovely Norman arch. The font is very worn, as are the pews. There is a 12th century font with 19th century cover.
The church contains monumental brasses to Mary Oke (1440), whose house still stands on the Kingston Lacy estate, and Richard Chernok (1538).