Church Of St Gabriel And St Mary

The Church of St Gabriel and St Mary is a parish church largely rebuilt in the early 16th century, with a 13th-century west tower. It was restored in 1855. The church is constructed of rendered stone with red sandstone dressings, and has slate and lead roofs.

The building comprises a nave and chancel unified as one space, featuring an early 19th-century three-light Perpendicular window on the east side. Long north and south aisles are present, with 19th-century Perpendicular four-light windows set within original openings, two on the north aisle featuring carved head and angel stops. A 16th-century four-light window with panel tracery is located at the west end of the north aisle. Thin buttresses with set-offs and an embattled parapet define the north and south aisles; the north aisle incorporates a polygonal stair turret leading to the rood loft. A north doorway has a hollow-chamfered four-centred arch adorned with crude leaf decoration, carved spandrels, a label with head stops, and an old door. The 13th-century west tower has a batter and diagonal buttresses extending only halfway up, with set-offs. It features bell openings with two pointed arch lights and a label; an embattled parapet, a Perpendicular three-light west window, and a circa 1300 two-centred chamfered arch doorway with a hood mould. Loops provide access to the interior stairs on the north and west sides. A late 19th-century vestry is situated on the south side.

The interior includes 16th-century four-bay north and south arcades, characterized by moulded four-centred arches resting on piers with four shafts and wavy moulding between, and capitals sculpted with foliage. The east piers (at the screen) incorporate restored shields held by angels. An unmoulded tower arch is also present. The roof is late 19th-century; the nave’s wagon roof is unceiled, while the chancel features a wagon roof with painted panels. A largely restored, full-width wooden rood-screen from the 16th century remains, rebuilt in 1848 and 1928-31, and preserving painted wainscot panels depicting Apostles and Prophets. The pulpit is a restored 16th-century carved wooden octagonal structure, repainted in 1931. Seating is predominantly 19th-century, but at the west end are two 16th-century benches and part of a third, with carved bench ends. The remains of 18th or early 19th-century box pews are found within the north and south aisles. A 16th-century octagonal font with quatrefoil panels also stands within the church. A painted version of the Royal Arms is displayed. The church features a late 19th-century stone reredos. Notable wall monuments include the memorial to the wife of Roger Pomeroy of Sandridge (1660), located in the Sandridge Chapel on the south side, along with memorials to Tamosin Lyde (1663), Arthur Champerlowne (1700), Thomas Hicks (Rear Admiral, 1801), and John Knight (1808).