St Mary's Church, Stoke d'Abernon
St Mary's Church, Stoke d'Abernon | |
---|---|
Mary the Virgin | |
Architecture | |
Heritage designation | Grade I |
Designated | 14 August 1953 |
Administration | |
Diocese | Diocese of Guildford |
The Church of St Mary is an
Description
History
The original church was built in the 7th century; substantial parts of the south wall date from this time. In building the Saxon church, some bricks, tiles and worked stones from Roman buildings were re-used. It was one of the churches in this area built soon after the introduction of Christianity by Saint Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury.[2][3]
The church was an
The north aisle of the nave dates from about 1190. Stonework of the entrance in the south wall, blocked in 1866, can be seen; it was probably a modification of the original Saxon doorway.[3]
The pulpit was given by Sir Francis Vincent in 1620, when he became a baronet. His arms and family motto are on the sounding board, which has elaborate wrought-iron supports. The pulpit is heptagonal and made of walnut; it stands on a central column, and is supported by seven part-animal, part-human caryatids.[2][3]
The church chest, below the pulpit, is of oak and dates from late 12th or early 13th century.[2][3] The organ, at the west end of the nave, was made for the church by Frobenius of Denmark in 1975.[3]
Chancel
The chancel, which replaced a rounded Saxon apse, dates from about 1240. It has a quadripartite vault.[3]
In front of the altar rail are brasses of Sir John d'Abernon (died 1277) and of his son Sir John d'Abernon (died 1327). The monumental brass of Sir John the Elder is one of the finest in existence. It shows him as a knight in armour; he carries a lance as well as a sword, which is thought to be unique, and there is original blue enamel in the shield.[2][3]
The chancel arch, replacing the narrower Saxon arch, dates from the 1866 restoration of the church by Ford and Hesketh.[2][3]
Norbury Chapel
The Norbury chapel, to the north of the chancel, was built about 1490 by Sir John Norbury (died 1521), to commemorate the victory at the
In the east wall are the ashes of Edgar Vincent, 1st Viscount D'Abernon (1857–1941).[3]
See also
References
- ^ "Parish of Stoke d'Abernon" Diocese of Guildford. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Historic England. "Church of St Mary (1030111)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Church History" St Mary's Church, Stoke d'Abernon, Surrey. Retrieved 1 November 2020.