It is built on the site of an 8th C monastery founded by St Dubricius and is an example of an early 2-cell Romanesque church, using local tufa stone, and with great similarities to Kilpeck church and probably built by the same masons. Please visit THIS site for more information, especially about the stained glass and its links in neighbouring Gloucestershire.
A very special 12th C church, although sadly the Norman tympanums are no longer there. The South entrance had the Tree of Life and the north doorway a goat in a scrolled background, both sadly lost to erosion, although antiquarians could still identify them in the 18th C. The porch was added in the 14th/15thC, and some of the original chamfered plates survive although the timber is modern.
This amazing organ was designed by Gilbert-Scott Jnr. in Victorian times, and painted by Thomas Kempe.
There was no obvious light switch so the church was rather gloomy.
Beautifully designed and worked kneeler.
Above and below: beautiful wooden carvings.
Effigy and tomb believed to be that of Roger de Fresne, who died in 1375.
Poor girl, and what a dreadful shock for the family.
A very plain, I assume Norman, font.
I confused myself with which glass was in which wall, so go to THIS LINK which will give you the information. Once again I was in a hurry as Keith and I had been to Hereford Hospital for more scans, and he was tired and just wanted to be back home.
Right, having done some research, I am pretty sure this is the Kempe window. A post today on Facebook by the Friends of Friendless Churches states that "it is pretty easy to spot a window by Charles Eamer Kempe. His figures wear wistful gazes, are draped in damask, drip with jewels and pose under fecund Gothic arches. Also, usefully, he often signed his windows with a golden wheatsheaf - a device derived from his family's coat of arms." No wheatsheafs here but wistful gazes aplenty! It was in memory of one of the Cornewall family.
It can't have been easy to work the lettering across the marble folds.
Moccas Court behind the trees.
Finally, just to show the invalid is very relaxed now:
What a great church.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. I will go back. Such a shame about the Tympanums which would have been done by the Hereford Romanesque sculptors.
DeleteP.S. I have used some of that Tufa stone in the past, but now it is protected. The last Tufa I used had to be imported from the USA via Canada. 2 tons.
ReplyDeleteI never knew that about tufa being a rare form of limestone. The church didn't feel cold and damp as so many do, so perhaps it's more breathable?
DeleteIt is the way that it is formed which makes it vulnerable to overuse. Fast running water produces the youngest of tufas - I have used tufa which had brown, organic leaves trapped within it. This means that the cascades where it can be found are ruined by 'mining' it, and some deep beds of tufa take 500 years to build up, which is not long but long enough to produce an eyesore if the cascades are wrecked. It is spongey and soft, which must give it good insulating properties if you build churches out of it.
DeleteWe exploit our resources so. The tufa for this church was quarried in the12th C, so we'll let them off . . . I hate to see these programmes about mining gold or opals or something in Australia and they are just destroying the earth, literally.
DeleteWhat an interesting visit. Just so different to churches here in Suffolk. The stained glass is lovely and a very posh organ for an outwardly plain church
ReplyDeleteI don't know how densely packed the Norman churches are in Suffolk, but here they were to CONTROL the Welsh - or at least, try to! I love the fact this is on the site of an earlier monastery and probably an area important in prehistoric times too. The best spots have a very long history.
DeleteThe posh organ was probably a rush of blood to the head of Gilbert-Scott Jnr! Encouraged by the Lord of the Manor, who wasn't short of a penny or two.
What a super church BB. I have heard of that one on the list to visit I think!!! Certainly plenty of interest to see there and the kneeler is beautiful. The effigy and tomb look interesting too! Time I started to visit more Herefordshire churches!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteOh it's a must RR. So much of interest there.
DeleteSplendid looking church with some interesting features, the sort I like to come across.
ReplyDeleteIt's the Hereford side of Hay-on-Wye, so not too far to travel.
DeleteLovely church, the stained glass and the carvings are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It's nice to see an unspoilt church.
DeleteYou live in church heaven Jennie!
ReplyDeleteIndeed I do Thelma! SO many ancient and interesting churches to explore.
DeleteThe stained glass and monuments are wonderful. I wonder if there was a story behind the drowning. I see Mocca’s Court offers B&B. Back in my rowing days from the mid-80s to early 90s we used to have an annual trip to compete in the Hereford, Monmouth and Worcester regattas - very happy days and there was plenty of time to explore the Wye valley. Good to see the patient resting and getting better. Hope Keith is starting to feel more himself and can enjoy being in the garden. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteThe house is near the River Wye - perhaps she was over-adventurous, or slipped off the bank. Who knows? Poor girl, only 17 too. I bet the B&B there is glam. What happy memories you must have of all the rowing regattas. We used to love watching the dinghy racing when we were at K's brother's in Essex. K feels better for drinking more - but worse for 6 trips to the wee room in the night . . . OT are coming to put a rail beside the small steps into the garden - he can't get into it at the moment - the steps on the other side are suitable for elephants or giants!
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