Church Of The Holy Rood

MORDIFORD CP MORDIFORD SO 53 NE 5/140 Church of the Holy Rood 26.1.67 GV II* Parish church. C12 core with C13 chancel and remaining base (ground stage) of former central tower, remainder largely rebuilt and altered c1811 and further altered during restoration by F R Kempson in late C19. Sandstone rubble and ashlar dressings, tiled roofs. Nave with north aisle and south- west tower, south porch and south chapel; ground stage of former central tower, chancel with north vestry. South-west tower of three stages with parapet and 2-light vent to bell stage, lean-to south porch with open decorative timber supports obscuring inner C12 doorway of nave, semi-circular head with chevron ornament and chamfered label, attached shafts to responds with scallop of cushion capitals and moulded base, 3-light C19 window in gable of chapel to right; 2-light C19 window with plate tracery to central tower, similar pair of C19 trefoil headed lights to chancel. Interior: four- bay nave, largely of C19 reconstruction. C13 east and west tower arches of three chamfered orders. Fittings largely C19. In north wall of chancel late C13 coffin lid with decorative floral and vegetal reliefs; the plain bowl of a font dated 1637 is situated in south porch. Monuments: on east wall of south chapel wall monument to Margaret (Vaughan) widow of William Bridges "who died at her prayers", 1655, stone, niche with architrave con- taining kneeling figure of praying female in contemporary dress, inscription panel below. Before the alteration of c1811, the west gable of the church is said to have had a painting of a large dragon, the legendary dragon of Mordiford. (RCHM Vol II, p 144; BoE, p 256).

Listing NGR: SO5704837451