Melbury Sampford: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: ST 577 59
Small, cruciform, and built chiefly of Ham Hill stone with lead roof coverings. The church is Perpendicular throughout, dating from the mid-15th century, but some of its external character derives from the restoration of 1878.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, transepts, chancel and crossing tower.
Description of Archaeology and History
Mid 15th century, restoration in 1878.
Exterior Description
Small, cruciform, and built chiefly of Ham Hill stone with lead roof coverings. The church is Perpendicular throughout, dating from the mid-15th century, but some of its external character derives from the restoration of 1878. The tower has splendid gargoyles and the pinnacles are supporters of the Strangways achievement-of-arms. At the corners of the transepts, nave, and chancel, are statues of various saints: those were a 19th century addition and add greatly to the picturesqueness of the building as seen from the house.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior has the atmosphere of a family chapel or mausoleum, which indeed it is. The nave was apparently lengthened at the time of the 1878 restoration, displacing a former west porch, so that it must previously have been of approximately the same length as the chancel. It is still very short, with only one window in each of the side walls, the Perpendicular window tracery being 19th century. On either side of the centrally placed north and south windows are handsome memorials (v. infra) - all four of them having white marble cartouches with black marble borders.
The chancel has an east window of three lights and windows north and south, all with cinque-foiled heads and containing armorial glass. The east window shields, both in their number and quality, are especially impressive. The chancel is lavishly furnished with return stalls and a sumptuous, if rather over ornate, reredos of stone and marble inlay running across the east wall. Behind the altar is a representation of the Last Supper in white marble and the altar itself has a Victorian frontal of brown velvet. All the roof structures are 19th century: panelled barrel roofs in chancel and transepts and a miniature harmer bean and curved braces construction in the nave. The tower space has a glazed wooden octagon.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1878
Carved
Rail
1878
Stall
1878
Pew (object)
1878
Organ (object)
1878
By Bishop and Son, 1878. Two manual, occupies most of the south transept.
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 577 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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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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