Church Of St Andrew

Church of St Andrew, Barnston

This Grade II* listed church comprises a nave dating from approximately 1160–1170, originally built of flint rubble but now plastered externally. The chancel was probably rebuilt in the 13th century. A rectangular timber-framed bell turret of re-used medieval timber stands at the west end. The entire structure is finished with a plain buttress to the north-east chancel wall and two red brick, two-stage buttresses to the east wall. The roofs are of plain red tile.

The most distinctive feature is the octagonal wooden bell cote, reputed to be 17th century, with supports enclosing ogee arches, an octagonal head surmounted by a matching finial and weather vane. It is set on a square base astride the west ridge and houses two bells, reputed to date from around 1665.

The windows reflect various periods. The east window is a 19th-century, three-light design in the early English style. The south wall contains six windows from east to west: a restored two-light window; possibly a 13th-century low side window, enlarged with a segmental pointed head; a 15th-century window with cinquefoil lights and vertical tracery under a square head; a 19th-century, two-light window with pointed heads; a rectangular wooden-framed window immediately under the eaves; and a small segmental pointed wooden-framed window, the latter two featuring diamond leaded lights. The west wall has two small segmental pointed timber-framed windows with diamond-paned leaded lights. The north wall contains, from east to west, a restored 19th-century two-light window; a small 13th-century lancet with chamfered and rebated jambs and head; a restored three-light window with square head; and two 12th-century round-headed lights, four now blocked. Between the last two windows is a blocked late 13th or early 14th-century door with hollow chamfered jambs and two-centred arch.

The 12th-century south doorway features a moulded semi-circular arch of two orders, the outer original and the inner with a 19th-century tympanum. The outer order of the jambs has attached shafts with scalloped capitals; adjoining the west capital is a spiral ornament. The door itself is probably 16th century, with feathered battens and ornamented strap hinges.

Internally, the roof is plastered and comprises six and seven cants. The nave contains two moulded tie beams with four-centred arch braces and moulded wall plates. The western partition wall has 20th-century panelling and two matching panelled supports to a small gallery which houses a Barrel Organ built around 1790 by Bevington. This organ has five barrels with eight hymns to each. The stairs to the gallery incorporate three 16th-century balusters.

The fittings and monuments include a possibly 14th-century panel in the south-west window, made up with 19th-century glass; a brass inscription on the south wall to Peter Wood dated 30 May 1525; and floor slabs in the nave and chancel to the Scott, Collard, Style and Exton families. A fine piscina in the chancel, probably dating from around 1200, is particularly notable. It is double, with moulded interlacing semi-circular arches resting on a free shaft and jambs with attached shafts, all with foliated capitals and moulded bases. The arches are set in a square moulded head with foliated spandrels, a central lintel and responds with moulded and foliated imposts, and quatrefoil drains.