Weight: 168 lbs Diameter: 18.75" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by William Knight 1726
Dove Bell ID: 61194 Tower ID: 24162 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Toller Fratrum: St Basil
Overview
Grid reference: SY 578 973
The first church on this site would appear to date to the 12th century. Since then, the only work known to have taken place were restorations in 1798 and 1854. It is a small stone building, set within a collection of historic farm buildings. The nave and small sanctuary are one externally, with pronounced quoins at the corners. Side walls of the nave are pierced by three single lancets, and there is a stepped window of three lancets in the east wall.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
3-bay nave, short chancel under one roof.
Dimensions:
Nave 8m (45ft) long, 5m (16ft) wide.
Footprint of Church buildings: 63 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Bronze Age barrows and other possible Iron-Age and Romano-British earthworks are located within 1 mile of this church, there are Medieval field systems and the churchyard is on a promontory, so prehistoric and later archaeological remains are possible at this site, as well as evidence relating to earlier church buildings and burials. The site is clearly of considerable archaeological potential and the Historic Environment Record should be consulted if any development is considered.
The church is one of only three in England dedicated to St Basil. The 'fratrum' in the place name comes from the Knights of St John of Jerusalem (the Hospitallers) who owned the manor from the 12th century until the Reformation. The farm buildings may have their origin in their manor. Toller comes from the old name of the nearby brook. This was the mother church of Wynford Eagle St Francis.
The first church on this site would appear to date to the 12th century, the evidence for which is two pieces of Norman carving – a fragment showing Mary Magdalene washing Christ’s feet built into the chancel, and the richly carved font, both of extremely high quality and interest. The fabric has been substantially rebuilt, possibly several times, see below. The adjacent farm was built largely by John Samways, who acquired the estate in 1540 following the dissolution, and was later occupied by the Fulford family.
A grant for 'repairing & painting - altering & improving windows, by putting on a new roof - repairing & pointing external walls etc' was refused by the ICBS in 1871. The architect responsible was W Scott Champion of London and Henley-on-Thames. In the application the answer to the question about when the church was built is ‘about 1798’. This must however be the date of a rebuild – the west door and chancel arch may date from this period - and another restoration may have occurred around 1854. More work has been done recently, particularly to the belcote.
Exterior Description
This church is of far more interest than the visitor would suspect from its modest appearance, and should be much better known.
The nave and small sanctuary are one externally, with pronounced quoins at the corners, apparently 19th-century. The nave side walls are pierced by three single lancets, and there is a stepped window of three lancets in the east wall, all apparently 19th-century. Small, square gabled belcote, recently rebuilt, on the west gable of the nave, which gives the building some vertical emphasis.
Under this the pointed west door surround (replacing a former square-headed doorway visible in the presumably Medieval wall) has three very thin and flat orders, possibly c 1800.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century rebuilding
Chancel
19th century rebuilding
Building Materials
Forest Marble
19th Century
Forest Marble
Ham Hill Stone
19th Century
Ham Hill Stone
Sand
19th Century
Upper Greensand
Slate
19th Century
Slate
Stone
19th century local rubble and dressed stone
Welsh Slate
19th century roof
Interior
Interior Description
Internally there is a small sanctuary beyond a steeply pointed, completely plain arch, which looks of the same date, but set within a very thick wall, suggesting a 12th-century origin. Has the chancel been shortened at some point?
The most significant parts of this church are two pieces of Romanesque carving. The first to be discussed is a quite beautiful and remarkable fragment showing Mary Magdalene washing Christ’s feet, set into the chancel east wall as a kind of reredos. Discussing a scene from the famous Chichester Reliefs depicting the Raising of Lazarus (and its possible pre-Conquest or immediately post-Conquest date) at Chichester Cathedral, the CRSBI comments:
“The closest sculptural analogy is a relief at Toller Fratrum in Dorset depicting Mary Magdalen wiping the feet of Christ. It resembles the Chichester Reliefs both stylistically and iconographically, but it has never actually been suggested that this sculpture arrived at Toller Fratrum after the Chichester screens were dismantled in the 14th century, or after they were uncovered in 1829, possibilities which should be investigated.”
This piece of sculpture, then, is of exceptional, international significance.
The other piece is the extraordinary font, which has survived with remarkably little damage except some defacement of faces, which has been repaired in a darker mortar. Four large human figures hold up a cable-moulding which has a band of interlace above to the rim, smaller figures are pushed downwards by them, or represented only by dismembered heads. They are coarsely represented. There is also a two-bodied beast, possibly demonic – is this a mixture of the Classical and Christian Hell / Hades? Cable moulding also to the base. The piece looks to be probably early 12th century and local work, and has little in common with the fragment described above.
The interior is plain and white-washed, probably concealing Victorian texts, or even just possibly earlier wall paintings. The Victorian benches with very simple rectangular bench ends and other woodwork are charming but of local significance only. There are pammets between the benches and flags down the central alley. Attractive brass candelabrum of 1876.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century table, plain
Reredos
12th century the Romanesque sculpture with Mary Magdalene drying Christ's feet, of exceptional significance
Pulpit
19th century hexagonal oak pulpit with steps, plain panels
Lectern
19th century wood
Font (component)
12th century Extraordinary and extremely important limestone font, possibly early 12th-century, described in the text. Conical lid, perhaps c 1800, with later simple cross finial.
Railing
18th century altar rails with turned balusters
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers from 1558 held at CRO.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SY 578 973
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
Quinquennial Inspections
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