Church Of St George

The Church of St George is a substantial building with a complex history, dating from the late 11th century. The south door is of the late 11th century, with the south aisle and the north part of the porch dating to the 12th century. The south transept was constructed in the 14th century. The tower, the south part of the porch, the west wall of the south aisle, and arches to the nave and the south aisle of the south transept are late 15th century. The south transept was remodelled in 1754, when a now-destroyed chancel was added. A north aisle and north arcade were added in 1833, with the arcade being replaced in 1907. The remainder of the building was rebuilt in 1907. The 1833 extensions were designed by the Rev Henry Moule, and the 1907 rebuilding by Jem Feacy of Dorchester, acting on behalf of the Rev R G Bartelot.

The most outstanding features are the south doorway and the west tower. The south doorway has a carved tympanum of Caen stone in a realistic style, resembling the Bayeux Tapestry. It depicts St George, mounted, with praying soldiers on his left and dead or dying soldiers on his right, thought to represent St George’s intervention in the Battle of Antioch in 1093. The west tower is constructed of ashlar and features two horizontal mouldings, a moulded eaves cornice, and a crenellated parapet. It has set-back buttresses with gargoyles at the eaves cornice and diagonally-placed pinnacles with crocketed tops. A polygonal stair tower projects at the north east corner, also topped with more crocketed pinnacles. The upper stage has two bell openings with transoms and Perpendicular tracery on each side, and the west window has Perpendicular tracery. Stained glass from Morris and Co is present in the west and south transept windows, dating from 1903 and 1913, and derived from older designs. A Communion rail dating to circa 1700 was brought from Milton Abbey. The altar, dating to circa 1390 and constructed of ashlar, was brought from Salisbury Cathedral in 1958, and features a panelled Perpendicular front. Bavarian doors dating from circa 1750, brought here in 1935, are located under the west tower and feature two shaped panels, the upper ones decorated with Rococo ornament. A door in the south porch entrance is dated 1717 in nails. The pulpit, dated 1592 and constructed of ashlar, is panelled and carved with initials; it is likely the oldest post-Reformation stone pulpit. The font, dating to the 15th century and constructed of ashlar, is octagonal with panelled sides. The chancel stalls are of the 17th century. A Roman tombstone is located in the nave.