Parish Church Of St Andrew

The parish church of St Andrew at Okeford Fitzpaine dates in part to the 14th century, with significant portions from the 15th century. The church underwent extensive restoration in 1865, designed by J Hicks. It is constructed of coursed rubble, squared coursed rubble, and ashlar, with a gable-ended tile roof and stone copings. The architectural style is a mix of Perpendicular and Decorated.

The west tower, partially of the 14th century, has two stages separated by a string course. It includes a large south rectangular vice turret, weathered diagonal buttresses, and an embattled parapet. A recessed west window features three lights under a two-centred bead with reticulated tracery. Loops are present on the north and south sides. The second stage has two-light square-headed Perpendicular windows. The chancel windows to the north and south have two and three lights respectively, incorporating tracery under two-centred heads and label stops. Other windows are Perpendicular, with two and three lights under two-centred and flat heads, with stopped labels. Square set stage buttresses are placed between most windows. The north porch features diagonal buttresses and a gabled roof, with a moulded two-centred arch bearing the date 1866.

Inside, the north and south arcades consist of four bays with four-centred moulded arches. Piers have four attached shafts with moulded capitals and polygonal bases. A two-centred tower arch is marked by two smaller two-centred arches on massive octagonal piers with moulded caps and bases; a tapering barrel vault covers the west window. The chancel arch is two-centred with 19th-century moulded capitals. The nave, south aisle, and north aisle have 19th-century waggon roofs with carved bosses. The chancel has a barrel roof supported on carved angel corbels. A restored 15th-century stone pulpit includes niches with figures and pinnacled standards. The north aisle contains 17th-century pews, some with arcade carving. A font dating to c.1866 is supported by carved angels. Some early glass remains in the north aisle, and the rest of the fittings are primarily 19th century. A collection of 17th, 18th, and 19th-century monuments are present. The stone carving is by Boulton and the wood carving by Grassby.