Church Of St Andrew

The Church of St Andrew is a parish church largely dating from the mid-to-late 11th century, with significant additions and alterations in the 12th, 15th, and 19th centuries. It was extensively altered in 1866 by Rev. W.H. Lowder. The church is constructed of random rubble and ashlar limestone, with a stone slate roof. It comprises a nave with short aisles, a south porch, a west tower, a chancel with a north vestry and south chapel.

The nave features round arched Saxon doorways with hoodmoulds and moulded imposts, with C14 pointed arch doorways inserted below. South of the porch, a C14 parapet covers the doorway. A Perpendicular traceried two-light pointed window sits to the left of the south porch. A rebuilt C19 lean-to aisle extends to the right, featuring two C13-style plate traceried windows. Adjacent to this, a taller gabled chapel has more authentic C15 windows, with a reset Norman window at its east end. A similar aisle extends to the north. The chancel is finished with a late C13 style east triplet. The lower portion of the west tower may be C13, displaying a blocked Early English lancet on its south face. In the 15th century, the tower was altered with the addition of diagonal offset buttresses, a projecting south stair turret, a two-light west window, and a crenellated belfry with two-light Perpendicular traceried openings, featuring stone slate louvres.

The interior is limewashed, containing a two-bay south arcade and a large arch on the north side. A C15 tower arch leads into the tower. The church features a wagon roof, and a wide C19 pointed chancel arch provides access to the chancel, which has a scissor-braced rafter roof. A delicately carved reredos, created in 1928 by F.E. Howard, stands against the altar. A trefoil-headed south piscina with a billeted hoodmould is present, while a square-headed north aumbry is also incorporated.

Two monuments are located in the chancel. One Renaissance wall monument depicts kneeling effigies of Anthony Partrige, died 1625, and his wife, crafted by Baldwin of Stroud; the monument is topped by a crest. A tablet with a bolection moulding, surmounted by mourners and a crest, commemorates William Wolley, died 1670.

The chapel showcases a fine set of monuments, including a central chest with effigies in Derbyshire alabaster, possibly carved by Edward Marshall, representing Sir William Sandys of Misarden Park, died 1640, and his wife Margaret Culpeper, died 1644, alongside effigies of their children, including infant mortalities at the west end. A further chest tomb holds a painted stone effigy representing William Kingstone of Miserden, died 1614. Other wall monuments in the chapel include one dedicated to Reverend Sir Edwin Winsor Bayntun Sandys Bart., died 1838, with a relief of a weeping angel, and a Baroque style monument to Michael Wills, died 1943. There are additional fine monuments within the nave. The church boasts an octagonal timber pulpit in a rich Perpendicular style, dating to the 19th century, and a circular Norman font with a cylindrical base. Stained glass is also present, primarily from the 20th century. Stop-chamfered spine beams with run-out stops are visible in places.