St Andrews Church, Althorne
Perpendicular 14th century parish church
with a tower of black flint and grey ragstone in a trellis pattern.
Above the west door is an
inscription mentioning Johannis Wylson and Johnaais Hyll who were
the Vicar and the main sponsor for the building.
The chancel is 16th century
built from red Tudor brick with a Victorian window added during a
20th century restoration.
The octagonal font dating from
the 14th century is ornately carved.
In the nave there is a brass
of William Hyklott 1508 and floor slabs to Margaret Hyklott 1502 and
Elizabeth Gordon 1701.
The Church Hall is a few hundred yards away
in Summerhill.
A tablet in the Church hall commemorates the
hall's opening in 1909.
The Architect is shown as Ernest Lupton. The Vicar as Rev W Shaw
Stewart and the Churchwardens as Thomas Fisher and Frederick Stone.
Worley's - A dictionary of the County
In 1915 George Worley wrote about the Church
in his Dictionary of the County
The church is an interesting building of
flint and stone, mostly in the perpendicular style, but with a
modern brick chancel, which is considered an unsatisfactory
addition.
Part of the rood screen remains; and the
curious brasses to Margaret Hyklott (1502) and William Hyklott
(1508) who "paide for the workmanship of the walls of this churche"
indicate the original builders.
The earlier brass bears an engraving of the
Virgin and Child and the other a quaint crucifixion.
A stone over the west doorway has a Latin
inscription asking prayers for the souls of john Watson and John
Nyll, probably the builders of the tower.
The sixteenth century octagonal font has
various appropriate devices on its panels including a depiction of a
baptism rite, and a crucifixion of St Andrew, the patron saint, the
corners being adorned with figures of angels(mutilated), flowers and
grotesque faces.
There are two bells, one by Thomas Harrys (c
1480) inscribed Vox Augustine sonet in Aure Dei, the second
Miles Graye made me 1638.
Church
registers from 1734.
Other pages about this church
Click here to read about the church bells at this church
Click here to read about the church chest at this church
Click here to visit the website of this Church
Click here to visit the web site of Althorne Church
