Weight: 171 lbs Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1867
Dove Bell ID: 57643 Tower ID: 22134 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Milton: St Simon & St Jude
Diocese of Salisbury
Church, 634172
https://www.gillinghamanglican.co.ukOverview
Grid reference: ST 801 286
Milton on Stour is a small village just to the north of Gillingham and includes two other hamlets. Colesbrook to the south and Huntingford to the north. The village is recorded in the Domesday Book and religious life in the village can be traced back to 1319 when a chantry chapel was built in the Pierston area. The building is mentioned again in the Parliamentary Commission of 1650 albeit now decayed but fit to be made a parish church for Milton and Preston. The present church, dating from the nineteenth century, is built on a new site on land given by Mr Thomas Matthews who, at the same time, gave land for the establishment of the adjacent village school. The church is to designs by Slater and Carpenter and was dedicated in 1867. The building is built of local Tisbury limestone under decorative tiled roofs. The church is built in the early ‘decorated’ style and retains a gothic revival feel to the interior. The church today comprises a nave, north and south aisles, apsidal chancel, south porch, north vestry and 3-stage west tower with spire.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 319 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The village is recorded in the Domesday Book and religious life in the village can be traced back to 1319 when a chantry chapel was built in the Pierston area. The building is mentioned again in the Parliamentary Commission of 1650 albeit now decayed but fit to be made a parish church for Milton and Preston. The present church, dating from the nineteenth century, is built on a new site on land given by Mr Thomas Matthews who, at the same time, gave land for the establishment of the adjacent village school. The church is to designs by Slater and Carpenter and was dedicated in 1867. The building is built of local Tisbury limestone under decorative tiled roofs. The church is built in the early ‘decorated’ style and retains a gothic revival feel to the interior. The church today comprises a nave, north and south aisles, apsidal chancel, south porch, north vestry and 3-stage west tower with spire. The tower had its broach spire added in 1892 and includes square set buttresses and a southern vice turret providing access to the clock chamber. The lofty nave with its fine decorated roof timbers is arcaded although original wall decoration has since been painted over. The carved bench ends to the pews were undertaken by Mr Whitehead of London and date from the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. The pulpit was installed in 1887 after designs by Sir Arthur Blomfield and the ironwork is understood to be undertaken by the local blacksmith. The church clock was installed in the tower in 1908 and is one of the few remaining hand wound clocks in the county. The churchyard was extended in 1955 with the lych gate added in 1988. It is understood that there are no Tree Preservation Orders on any of the trees although they are protected by virtue of being within the churchyard. Between 1820 and 1823 the artist John Constable paid several visits to the village in order to sketch the picturesque old mill now known as Purns Mill. He completed several paintings. One may be seen at the V&A Museum, London, while another hangs in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. The present church although not built at the time now overlooks the scene.
Interior
Interior Description
Some of the church windows are of stained glass by Clayton and Bell. This represents an important collection and as Bell was a local man he may well have personally supervised the work as he was known to the benefactors. The Pulpit was installed in 1887 after designs by Sir Arthur Blomfield. It has columns of green Irish marble, contrasting with red Perthshire stone. Carved oak pews were carved especially for the church by Mr Whitehead of London. Each bench head carving is of a different design. The organ, donated by the Matthews Family in 1891 replacing one given by the Rev Henry Deane, Vicar of St.Mary the Virgin, Gillingham, was built in 1875 by Halmshaw & Son of Birmingham, and is considered to be a very fine example of their work. It is believed the organ was of a standard design and modified to fit in the vestry, and is unusual in that it has a 12th and 15th drawing separately on the Swell, especially when there is no upperwork on the Great, and a stop on the Great marked Trumpet but subsequently no Trumpet pipe fitted owing to lack of space. The original pump handle is still attached but became obsolete in 1949 when converted to electric.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 801 286
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.
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
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