Astoft

 

Overton, Hampshire - St Mary Church

Click photos to enlarge.
Notes in italics from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight by Nikolaus Pevsner and David Lloyd (1967)
Yale University Press, New Haven and London.


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Externally all is Victorian, the ashlar W tower (rebuilt in 1909) and the flint nave and chancel. Medieval is no more than the N aisle W lancet, re-set, a chancel N window with plate tracery, and parts of two minor doorways (not shown).


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The modern but well-harmonising church rooms date from 1998. The large churchyard affords high, open views.


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Internally there is more to keep one occupied. Three-bay N and S arcades of c.1200. Round piers, square but chamfered abaci, multi-scalloped capitals, pointed single-chamfered arches.


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Base of piers. View from pulpit. North aisle looking east.

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The next element in terms of chronology, is the chancel: mid C13 according to the plate tracery. The single-frame roof with tie-beams may well be contemporary. The chancel was lengthened c.1500 (church guide).
View from chancel through the nave to the west tower.


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The W tower is c.1500, and so are the W bays of the two arcades, built to connect the old nave with the new tower. Only the typically Dec arch from the tower to the S was re-set. Where was it originally?


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The door of the south entrance may date from about 1350-1400 (according to the church guide). The door is unusual in that it folds in the middle. 


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