Open Saturdays & Sundays, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
1st April - 31st October.
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Groups and visits at other times by arrangement with the Custodian. Please use the Contact form
17th/18th century painted texts
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A large number of 'sentences' or 'improving texts' were removed form the earlier (1325) church and transferred to the present (1785) building. The church spent 1 shilling (5p) on nails and hooks for fixing them to the walls.
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Ironically, at the time, very few in the congregation would have been able to read them. However, those who were literate would be able to improve their reading skills as they digested the 'improving texts' displayed for their benefit.
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The Lord's Prayer is displayed on the left side of the altar window, balanced by the Creed on the right hand side.
South east corner
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The two large boards on the south wall, near the south east corner list the Ten Commandments.
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Next to them is a pair of smaller boards offering guidance on how to maintain Christian standards in daily life. Interestingly, the sign-writer appears to have misjudged the amount of space required for the text on the lower board as the writing becomes progressively smaller as he runs out of space.
The Royal crest
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The crest hangs high on the wall that divides the chancel from the nave of the church, high enough to be clearly visible above the east gallery that at one time spanned the church above the chancel arch.
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The boards were introduced into Anglican churches after Henry VIII declared himself to be the head of the church in England and separated the church from the Pope and Roman Catholocism.
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The boards serve to remind everyone that the English sovereign is the head of the church.
Biblical quotations
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Two boards lettered with quotations from the Bible are located between the south door and the chancel arch.
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The upper board quotes Corinthians ch.11 v.27: Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
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The lower board quotes from Corinthians, ch.11, vv28-29
: . . . he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation unto himself . . .
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Once again the sign-writer has misjudged the space required and the lettering becomes progressively smaller after the first few lines.
There are several other similar 'improving texts' on display around the building.