Weight: 112 lbs Diameter: 17" Bell 1 of 2
Founded by Thomas Knight (of Closworth) 1712
Dove Bell ID: 59558 Tower ID: 23235 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Seaborough: St John
Diocese of Salisbury
Church, 634025
http://www.beaminsterteamchurches.orgOverview
Grid reference: ST 430 59
Because of its situation, the church is approached by a gate at the north-east corner of the churchyard and thence by a path leading down past the east wall and along the south flank to the porch. The masonry seen in these two walls appear at first sight entirely nineteenth century. The east window is of three cinquefoiled Perpendicular lights of Dorset type with panel tracery and a moulding at sill level runs to the angles and returns westwards round the small buttresses.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave and chancel are in one with a west bell-cote and a south porch. North of the chancel is the vestry added by Crickmay. An unusual feature is the placing of the Georgian north transept at the west end of the north wall, directly opposite the porch.
Footprint of Church buildings: 126 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was rebuilt on the old foundations by G.R. Crickmay in 1882. He retained little except most of the north wall of the nave, the base of the south wall and of the porch and two reset fifteenth-century windows. He also preserved the north transept which is dated 1729 an a stone set in the north gable. The cost was £980.
Exterior Description
Because of its situation, the church is approached by a gate at the north-east corner of the churchyard and thence by a path leading down past the east wall and along the south flank to the porch. The masonry seen in these two walls appear at first sight entirely nineteenth century. The east window is of three cinquefoiled Perpendicular lights of Dorset type with panel tracery and a moulding at sill level runs to the angles and returns westwards round the small buttresses. In the south wall of the chancel are two two-light windows of the same style but simpler, without moulded hoods, and a buttress (and a cross on the roof ridge) mark the division of nave from chancel. The nave has two later windows with three lights under rectangular heads, again without labels. The porch, which is quite plain, has a sundial carved on a wedge-shaped block perched on the gable. On the nave roof nearby there is an octagonal stone chimney.
The west wall of the nave is broader in the middle part to provide a base for the wide west bell-cote with two cinquefoiled arches under the gable. The lower part is pierced by the two-light west window of the nave.
The north wall of the nave has one window similar to those in the south wall and, to the west of that, an early eighteenth-century transept with a wide, low-pitched roof. This has two-light windows within recessed frames to east and west, the lights being round-headed, and there are quoins at the north-west and north-east angles. In the north wall there is a three-light window of strange design with three round-headed lights in the lower part and tracery in the form of an octofoil above. Above the apex of its rather crudely carved hood-mould is a recessed rectangular stone carved, with attractive rustic numerals, with the date 1729.
The vestry is L- shaped, the western part being under a continuation of the chancel roof slope and probably intended for an organ chamber, and the eastern part cross -gabled like a small transept. This is all of 1882. It allows space for one two-light window to the east.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1899
The east window, of three lights, shows Christ in Majesty surrounded by angels, by Clayton and Bell.
Stained Glass
c.1928
The north window of the north transept shows Christ and a Little Child flanked by St. Peter and St. Paul, and The Pelican surrounded by the instruments of the Passion in the octofoil above; by Horace Wilkinson.
Building Materials
Ham Hill Stone
18th Century
Ham Hill Stone
Slate
18th Century
Slate
Interior
Interior Description
The interior, like so many of the Dorset churches restored or rebuilt in the later nineteenth century, is an essay in shades of brown. The walls have brown plaster, the exposed stonework is of Bath stone, the floor is of brownish red tiles in the chancel and wood blocks in the nave, the furnishings are of pitch pine and the roof is also boarded with varnished pitch pine. Since most of the windows are filled with "Cathedral" glass, there is even a brownish tinge to the light entering the building. There are few architectural details to record. The roof is boarded barrel vault, a reminder of the church's proximity to Somerset and Devon, and the chancel is only divided from the nave by a timber arch more heavily moulded than the rest and supported by paired colonettes of polished marble supported on foliate corkels. There is one step at this point, another two at the rails and a small footpace. On the north side of the chancel a wide arch opens to the little organ chamber (housing a harmonium) and the narrow passage-like vestry. On the south side there is an octofoil piscina in the window sill (of 1882).
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
c.1882
The altar is of pine
Reredos
The reredos is a plain curtain.
Pulpit
The pulpit is a simple pine framework with pierced pointed quatrefoils in each panel.
Lectern
The lectern is also of pine, a simple pedestal with brass candle sconces on S- shaped arms.
Font (object)
The font is octagonal, on a round moulded base and octagonal step, much recut. It has a plain bowl and a flat oak cover with an ironwork cross.
Bells
Weight: 168 lbs Diameter: 18.5" Bell 2 of 2
Founded by Thomas Knight (of Closworth) 1712
Dove Bell ID: 59559 Tower ID: 23235 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 430 59
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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