Church Of St Katherine

EXBURY AND LEPE EXBURY SU 40 SW 12/5 Church of St Katherine II Parish church. 1907 by J O Scott and Son, replacing church of 1827, itself built to replace a medieval church at Lower Exbury. Coursed squared Swanage stone, Chilmark stone dressings,old plain tile roof. Late C19 Gothic but not Free Gothic of the Arts and Crafts, details in Decorated and Perpendicular style. Plan of 1 bay chancel and 4 bay nave under same roof, north and south transeptual vestry and organ chamber, north-west tower and against east side 1/2-octagonal memorial chapel. East end has 3-trefoiled-light pointed window, kneelered gable and angle buttresses. Wider nave has gabled transepts with square-headed cinquefoiled window on ends, to south corbelled bellcote at top of gable, to north chimney on side. Centre 2 nave bays have 2-cinquefoiled-light pointed windows with buttress between. On south-west gabled porch with pointed arch. Chapel has, on forward face, facing east, small 2-light window. Ashlar parapet. West end has 3-cinquefoiled-light, with daggers over, window. Tower projects to west with clasping stair turret. Pointed 2-light windows. Top stage has two 2-trefoiled light louvred bell-openings set back in paired squareheaded pointed reveal. Crenellated parapet. Interior is well-proportioned with high-quality fittings. Memorial chapel contains monument by Cecil Thomas, 1919 to John and Alfred Forster, of bronze, a soldiers effigy on tomb-chest with tall candlesticks. C13 Purbeck font probably from old church.

Listing NGR: SP3668912487