On the way back from Malvern Fleamarket last month, I stopped off to visit the beautiful old church at Kempley again. It is a favourite for both Keith and I, and several friends too as it has a lovely ambience. I love it too because Edward Thomas and Robert Frost lived nearby in Dymock, and visited it regularly.
It's Norman, dating back to 1130, but probably built on the site of an earlier Saxon church. It was under the patronage of the de Lacy family, who owned large stretches of the Welsh Marches. The tower was added around 1276. The church itself is of a simple design - a rectangular chancel and an aisleless nave - much in the style of a Saxon church. The porch dates to the 14th C.
Dividing the nave from the chancel is a clearly Norman archway.
TH 1670 carved into wall joists.
This church is famed for its wall paintings - the most amazingly complete set of Romanesque frescos in the whole of Northern Europe.
The paintings were used to depict scenes from the Gospels to the illiterate congregation. HERE is a link to the English Heritage page which will tell you all about the paintings.
Looking up at the chequered border to the Norman archway.
Beautiful stained glass too. It has a look of Charles Kemp about it, but I can't find an attribution.
A goodly stone in memory of Ralph Wootton, coachman.
I have had to leave off heavy-duty gardening now the sun has come out, so it's back to painting the kitchen, which will necessitate moving the entire contents of the pine sideboard . . . all my baking stuff. I may be gone some time!
