Sunday, October 11, 2009

St Edward, Chilton Polden, Somerset

Attractive exterior, no tower but a double bellcote. The church was entirely rebuilt 1888-89 by Henry Edwards of Bristol. Some older memorials were replaced into the rebuilt church, but one of the best - an inscised slate is almost hidden with other similar memorials behind the organ, and best viewed from the vestry behind. The font is plain but medieval. Edwards is not very good here (his exteriors are always better than his interiors in my opinion), his arches are all plain continuous single chamfer and this makes his church seem exceedingly plain inside. The chancel arch however is original C15 work, of two continous hollowed chamfers. Medieval too the south door which may originally have fitted a Norman doorway as it is round headed but so as to not build a round arch or reuse what was there before Edwards has hung the door over the current doorway by making it open outwards - and odd this looks too!

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