HAMMOON

St. Paul

This is a remarkable little church that stands in the centre of the hamlet of Hammoon, just to the north of the remains of a 14c village cross.  The chancel and the south wall of the nave are 13c.  It was altered in 15c and again in the 19c when the nave was lengthened and the little bellcote added.  The early 15c reredos is particularly important because it is a fine example of West country work.  It was found in a south London dealer's yard in 1945 and had been an overmantle to a fireplace.  It is thought that it had originally been created for a church nearby since it is made from local Ham stone.

The roof is a good example of 15c construction by a double framed pitch with moulded and cambered tie beams connecting the principal rafters.  The oak pulpit is dated 1635 and the font is 14c.  There is a large sculpted 14c head, reputedly taken from the bridge, but which may well have originated in the church.  Note, the largely unexplained offset of the chancel - it is aligned with the nave, so that it cannot be said to be 'drooped'.