Listed Building: PARISH CHURCH (DEDICATION UNKNOWN) (105986)

SY 78 NW WHITCOMBE 6/94 Parish Church (Dedication Unknown) 26.1.56 I GV Parish Church. C12 nave, with some later refacing and C18 rebuilding of south wall, east of porch. C15 chancel rebuilt, with reset cast window. South porch built. C16, west tower. Squared Portland rubble stone with dressings of Portland ashlar and some Ham Hill stone. Clay tile roofs with stone slates at eaves. Nave, not structurally divided from chancel. North wall east has remains of narrow rood stair of C15, west of this a C14 window with 2 uncusped lights in a square head, with segmental pointed rere arch. Blocked C12 doorway with a plain semi circular head and moulded imposts. South wall: C12 south doorway is similar to that on the north, though a lower arch has been built below the original rere arch. West of the porch the walling is thicker and has been refaced in C15, it incorporates a C15 window of two trefoiled lights similar to that in south wall of chancel. East of the porch, wall rebuilt in C18, and contains a 2 light timber window of this date. The C12 south doorway is similar to that on north, with lower arch built below the original rere arch. Chancel: chamfered plinth on north and south sides. East wall has a restored and reset late C13 window of 3 graduated lancets under a two centred label with beast head stops. South wall has a C15 window of two trefoiled lights in a square head. North wall has a similar C15 window, and a blocked C15 doorway with 4 centred chamfered lintel at rear. West tower, C16, three storeys divided externally into two stages, moulded plinth and embattled parapet, with two stage diagonal buttresses. South side has a three sided projection for the tower vice. Tower windows, see R.C.H.M. 375, col.2. Interior: roofs: chancel roof is C19. Nave has a plain plaster ceiling, with canted sides, roof was originally of a lower pitch, see weathering stones on east side of tower. Fittings: font, Purbeck marble, octagonal bowl, each face with a two two centred arched panels, circular stem with 4 detached circulat shafts of later date, octagonal base, early C13. Paintings (1) north wall of nave, St Christopher, nimbed and bearded, with Child seated on left shoulder and in background, mermaid with comb and glass, C15, traces of black letter inscription. (2) arcading of 7 bays with trefoiled and crocketed triangular heads in yellow and red outline divided by shafts and caps in red, enclosing faint traces of figure painting, C14. Painted conservation cross in yellow with red background and border. Carved fragments: two fragments of cross shaftes, carved with interlace panels, C10. Communion Table: The Giueft of A M Wedo: D:S:E:H: 1637. South doorway, C17. The church has important wall paintings and stone sculpture. (R.C.H.M. Dorset II, p.375 (1)). Listing NGR: SY7165588308

Record last edited

Sep 9 2019 10:33AM