St. Andrew
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This must be one of Dorset's most difficult churches to find because it is tucked away behind a beautifully restored farmhouse in what is now just a hamlet. It must once have been important because King John gave two hides to the Abbey at Shaftesbury. Despite its delightfully rural setting the church is very much alive and there are frequent services.
It is a small
medieval building with a simple C12 nave and a chancel that was added later in
the C13. Although an unsophisticated design, the nave rises theatrically up towards the chancel, which is lit by two lancet windows.
There are a variety of window styles; lancet, already mentioned, a decorated
Gothic and a square one with small panes. However, undoubtedly the most important feature of the the building are the
C13 wall
paintings that were discovered in 1951. They feature the Betrayal of
Christ, which is the best preserved, the Scourging, the Crucifixion, the Deposition and the Suicide of
Judas.
There is a good rather plain Jacobean pulpit and a simple tub font. Outside, the bellcote is interesting.
This is a real gem and well worth a visit.
