Parish Church Of St Andrew Buckland

The Parish Church of St Andrew, Buckland, is an aisled church with nave and chancel, substantially rebuilt in the 19th century but retaining significant medieval fabric.

A church at Buckland is recorded in Domesday Book (1086), though no fabric from this date survives. The present building was likely constructed in the early 12th century, as suggested by its double-square nave plan. The north aisle was added in the late 12th century, and a south aisle with south chancel chapel probably existed by this period, evidenced by a blocked 12th-century window in the east end of the south aisle.

In the 18th century, the church was said to have a low timber tower at the west end, positioned within the nave with its upper part projecting above the roof, somewhat resembling the present bellcote. This was removed in the mid-19th century and replaced briefly by a tall, open stone bellcote for three bells over the west end of the nave.

The building was substantially altered in two phases during the 19th century. The eastern part of the south arcade was rebuilt in 1850–52 by F R Wilson. The church was then extended westwards and largely rebuilt externally by William Butterfield in 1876–80. Butterfield was one of the most celebrated church architects of the mid to late 19th century.

The exterior is largely Butterfield's work, rebuilt in an early Decorated style. The tracery at the east and west ends employs trefoiled ogee lights and foiled circles, with an intersecting tracery pattern at the east window. The aisles have simpler lancets. A square, weatherboarded bellcote with a short broach spire sits over the west end of the nave, with the nave roof lowered to accommodate it. Large porches occupy the north side and south side (in the position of a choir vestry). The northeast sacristy and organ chamber are plainer, with square windows. The building is constructed of flint with stone dressings, and has tiled and slated roofs.

Internally, the eastern three bays of the north arcade are late 12th-century work, featuring square, scalloped capitals on alternating octagonal and round piers. The remaining three bays of the north arcade were added by Butterfield in the 19th century in a late 13th-century style, with round piers having moulded capitals and bases. The western three bays of the south arcade are also Butterfield's; the eastern part may retain work from Wilson's rebuilding. A blocked 12th-century window is visible in the east wall of the south chapel, and a squint connects the chapel to the chancel.

Principal fixtures include an elegant and light Victorian Gothic metal chancel screen with filigree tracery. A massive 19th-century stone pulpit and an unusual faceted font, both probably dating to 1850–52, are notable. The nave contains 19th-century benches with fielded panels on the ends and an arched braced roof. The church retains some good 19th and early 20th-century stained glass.

Monuments include a large wall tablet for Sir John Bentley, Vice-Admiral of the White (died 1772), featuring an urn in front of a flag.

A very large and ancient yew tree, originally to the west of the nave, was relocated when the church was extended. A good-quality late 19th or early 20th-century lych-gate stands at the entrance.

A late 19th or early 20th-century churchyard chapel and a group of early 20th-century tablets built into purpose-made niches in the churchyard wall may be listed separately.