St Andrew the Apostle - a photo on Flickriver

            Hurstbourne Priors    The ancient church of St Andrew the Apostle is probably the oldest existing church in the Diocese of Winchester. It was originally the 'manorial church' of the even more ancient manor of Hurstbourne Priors.

War MemorialThe charter of Denewulf, Saxon Bishop of Winchester, dated AD 820, refers to its consecration in that year and the present church is believed to stand on the remains of the original Saxon building.

The present church was built by the Normans in the 12th century and a north chapel added in the 16th century. In the 18th century, a south transept was built for the use of the Portsmouth family (the Portsmouth Aisle), with the nave being rebuilt and the old wooden balcony replaced by a tower in AD1870.  The chancel was also heavily restored but does retain some medieval details, including the chancel arch and the outline of the blocked priests door in the south wall.

Church NaveThe building consists of a West Tower, Nave, South Transept, North Chapel (now the vestry) and the Chancel. It has a light and airy appearance with perpendicular windows. Much of the later restoration was undertaken at the expense of the Portsmouth family who were lords of the manor until the estate was broken up in the 1950’s.

In the north wall of the chancel is a fine canopied tomb, a splendid example of 16th century craftsmanship, possibly by Dutch craftsmen employed by the famous firm of Janssen in Southwark.

Church Oxenbridge TombThe Oxenbridge Altar Tomb was built in AD 1574 and shows the recumbent figures of Sir Robert Oxenbridge, Lord of the Manor, with his wife by his side.   The inscription on the north side, dated 15th December 1574, stated the tomb contains the body of Sir Robert Oxenbridge, son of Goddard Oxenbridge, and that of his wife, the daughter of Thomas Fogge, Knight at Arms.

The Bell Tower originally contained six bells which, from their dates, were installed in different periods. The treble is dated 1667 but is believed to be a recast of an even earlier treble bell.

The Font is 12th century Norman work, constructed of Caen stone. The Oak Choir Stalls were made by Lord Portsmouth’s workmen in AD1907. The Lectern, in the form of an angel, was given in memory of the 6th Earl of Portsmouth in 1918.

The Organ was designed by Sir Hubert Parry, the famous composer, and was played by him at the opening ceremony in 1906. Harry Plunket Greene (author of the book on angling “Where Bright Waters Meet”) sang as a member of the choir on that occasion.

Church Choir at Organ Dedication 1906

Outside the Church stand two remarkable trees.  A yew which, a century ago, was judged to between 700 and 800 years old and a horse chestnut which is not less than 200 years old and acknowledged to be the second largest in England.
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Proposal for the New Baptismal Font
From the Proposal for a New Baptismal Font at St Andrew's Church, Hurstbourne Priors (19th December 2005) - taken from the Order of Service - 21 October 2008

The previous font was 12th century Norman work, constructed of Caen stone.

“St Andrew’s Church is situated in open surroundings of a particularly tranquil and spiritual nature in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. An avenue of mature lime trees leads to the churchyard gates.

On entering the church by the west door, the immediate impression of the interior is somewhat austere; the new font presents a rare opportunity to introduce a decorative and welcoming point at this end of the building.

After much thought I chose the text “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16) from the Sermon on the Mount, as I have always found it especially profound and arresting, and apposite as an inscription on a baptismal font. In my proposed design the text is arranged to form visually coherent groups of words, carved in relief and set amongst decorative foliage, most of which is found around the churchyard and has religious significance.

The circular form of the bowl and its decoration allude to the passage of time from daybreak to nightfall and through the seasons.

The foliage depicted begins, facing the west door, with the snowdrop (purity) and violet (humility); the gilded rays of the rising sun shine through lime leaves. In January and February a carpet of snowdrops is a feature of the churchyard and in spring, violets grow in the shade of the yew trees. Oak leaves and acorns convey strength and faith and the vine, with its clear Christian symbolism, also refers to summer and then the autumn’s rich harvest. Yew foliage and berries suggest the close of the year and are joined by a rising dove and a star.

The orientation of the font allows the words “Let your light so shine” with the gilded sun behind to be seen immediately on entering the church. The text continues around the bowl past the south window and “Glorify your Father which is in heaven” will be highly visible on leaving the church from the altar towards the west door.

A section of green Cumbrian slate, carved to represent a river with fish, will stand between the existing column and the new bowl, thus creating a distinct separation between the original and the new components of the font. The carved fish provide, amongst other symbolism, a clear reference to St Andrew, and the river to the Bourne Rivulet which runs on the east side of the churchyard.”

Marilyn Smith, Carver and Gilder

Taken in: UK / England / Basingstoke and Deane District / Hurstbourne Priors (show map)

Taken on: May 18, 2021

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Hurstbourne Priors

St Andrew the Apostle

http://www.hurstbournepriors-pc.org.uk/HurstbournePriorsParishCouncil/st_andrews_church-4460.aspx

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Camera:	Panasonic DMC-TZ30
Aperture:	f/4.4
Exposure Time:	0.013 sec (1/80)
Focal Length:	9mm
ISO:	160
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
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Color Space:	sRGB
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