Church Of St Andrew

The Church of St Andrew began as a Benedictine priory church, founded between 1100 and 1107, and was enlarged around 1180. The priory was dissolved around 1440, and the church underwent alterations in the 15th century. The nave was extensively restored in 1824 by Richard Carver, and the chancel was rebuilt between 1863 and 1865 by John Norton. Victorian alterations were removed during the mid-20th century. The church is constructed of roughcast, squared and coursed blue lias with sandstone courses, with a tower featuring herringbone stonework beneath render.

The building comprises a 3-bay nave, a tower over the crossing, transepts, North and South chapels flanking the choir, a chancel, and a vestry. A neo-Norman porch was rebuilt in the mid-19th century at the West end, which contains a 5-light Perpendicular window. Most windows are 3-light Perpendicular, with the exception of a C19 lancet on the South wall of the chancel, 3 C19 lancets at the East end, and a 2-light window with a lancet above within the vestry. The North return of the vestry features stepped buttresses flanking two Lady Chapel windows. A 4-light window is set into the North transept, all crenellated, with the central two bays distinguished by finials. A parapet tops the gable end of the transept, and recessed stairs lead to the tower, with a gabled projection beyond, featuring a 2-light window and a lancet. Two 3-light windows are on the North side of the nave.

The two-stage tower over the crossing has a parapet with pierced trefoil decoration, louvered bell openings, and an octagonal spire. Inside, the early 12th-century crossing arches are rendered and moulded with chevron and other Norman decoration, carved upon 8 piers with early Norman capitals. The arcade extends 2 bays North and South, with late 12th-century capitals and arches. The early 12th-century church originally had apsidal ends to the transepts, with the transepts being extended East in the late 12th century. Changes in floor level reflect earlier arrangements, as evidenced by the steps up to the North and South chapels and the 4 steps within the choir. Mid-20th-century excavations may have revealed a crypt floor. Significant memorials are present, including those to Nathaniel Palmer (died 1717), featuring an obelisk with a painted shield and mourning putti, and to Sir Thomas Wroth (died 1721), with a tablet and mourning putti. Table tombs feature effigies of William Verney (died 1333) and John Verney (died 1447), with mourning figures in crocketted niches. Other features include a Norman font, medieval floor tiles, early 16th-century bench ends, C19 banners of Friendly Societies, and a chandelier from 1732. The church represents a notable example of Norman ecclesiastical architecture.