A handsome medieval local iron stone church set in pleasantly wooded church yard on Church Street. The single most surprising object to be found here is though inside – a remarkable set of late Elizabethan wall paintings. These depict the twelve tribes of Israel and derive from engravings published in Ghent in 1552. The highly inventive strap work borders are the invention of this sadly unknown painter. These paintings are as rare as hen’s teeth when you consider that almost all painting done at this period in this country was portraiture. (There are also remains of Medieval wall paintings here, somewhat faded, of the Life of St Catherine).
These paintings are part of a process of enlargement and improvement of this building since the 11th century. Here you will find Norman columns with arches carved in zig zag decoration and at the other end of the period a splendid 15th century wooden screen. From the 17th century comes the well padlocked church chest, 1629, a near contemporary poor box and the brass memorial to Margaret Bacon unusually surrounded by a contemporary stone classical frame. The other memorial worth mentioning is that to the Rev. Samuel Barwick in the chancel. It has a charming relief showing a shepherd tending his sheep with a view of the church beyond. It dates from circa 1820 and is surely by John Bacon Jnr. Finally, a moving stained glass window to the fallen of the First World War by Hardman with a horrifyingly long list of those who gave up their life in this parish beneath.