St Andrew

The tall narrow arch leading from the chancel to the vestry is Saxon work from about the 9th or 10th century. The present church is 13th century though much altered in the 19th century and is built of the local green sandstone.

A visit will take you from the Saxon arch of the original stone church to the mediaeval era when the church was expanded to serve a growing population. Then, on at least two occasions during the Victorian era, the building was further developed. The medieval Rood Screen was taken down (you can still see the entrance to the blocked up staircase that took the clergy and servers up onto the Rood). The Musicians Gallery was also lost.

The tower was rebuilt by the Victorians; it contains four bells, one of them dating from the 15th century. The organ came to the church second hand in the 20th century; it was restored in 2018 and is a fine early 19th century tracker action instrument with a bright sound although tiring to play!

There are interesting monuments and tablets around the walls; the most notable being the one to Captain Cooke, who commanded the Bellerophon at the Battle of Trafalgar; he lived at Donhead Lodge across the stream from the church. In the chancel you will see the memorials to wealthy vicars of the living; one of whom built Donhead House across the lane as his home. Stand in the centre of the chancel and look up at the roof; there are delightful angels supporting the roof timbers. The west window in the tower commemorates the Millennium and a thousand years of unbroken Christian worship in the church.

Almost all of the church furniture is new including the very comfortable oak chairs, the west end screen and the communion rail both made by a talented local craftsman carpenter. Through the double doors at the northeast corner of the chancel is to be found the new extension, built in 2018 in a shape reminiscent of a monastic Chapter House but very evidently of modern design and construction. This houses a combined Parish Room and Vestry, a disabled loo with baby changing facilities, a kitchen, boiler room and storage. This extension is only open during services and for the many events that take place in the church.

Depending on when you visit, there may be an exhibition in the church on an aspect of local history, local industry or agriculture or the people who lived and worked in the village. On the first four Sundays of the month, there is a service. we offer a variety of styles of worship to suit the people of the village; details of the services are listed on the noticeboard in the church porch, as are all the activities and events in the coming month. Refreshments are served after two of the four services a month. The churchyard no longer accepts burials but can still accommodate interment of ashes. The chancel and the new extension are all on the same level. The disposition of seating and other furniture allows easy access for the disabled.