Peak Experience

Most of the present fabric of the church dates from its wholesale rebuilding between 1787 and 1792.

 

A picture of the church at Ipstones A picture of Anglo-Saxon carving

 

However, the late Viking style of its surviving tympanum (1100s AD) shows that its history reaches much further back.  The tympanum is no longer in its original position – you’ll find it in excellent condition, built into the inside south wall of the nave.  The tympanum shows two fighting dragons, surrounded by a scroll border in an earlier Anglo-Saxon carving style.

 

The east window, south door and some parts of the tower date from rebuilding around the 1300s and 1400s.  George Gilbert Scott Jr removed the north, south and west galleries along with the original family box pews in the 20th century.

 

A picture of a wall paintings

Striking wall paintings are to be seen on the chancel arch and in the sanctuary.  They were commissioned as a memorial to the Revd R. H. Goodacre, who was vicar here, and J. Eadie-Reid painted them on canvas in 1917.

The church is kept open.  There is a village shop with tearoom and post office.  Two pubs in the village.