St John's Church, Farley Chamberlayne, Hampshire |
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| The church of St John is in an isolated position on chalk downland with extensive views. Broken ground around the church indicates a deserted village. The church consists of nave, chancel and bell-turret. The chancel and nave date from 1130-60, although the windows and other details are later. | ||||
| Click on photos below to enlarge. Picture above © Anne Gibson, used with permission. | ||||
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| North side and south side. It is very likely that the manor house of the St John family stood in the field in the foreground of the first picture. They had the manor from 1525 to 1830. The windows of the church are mostly of the 18th century. | ||||
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| The south wall has some curious patterning in the render. Deliberate or unusual weathering? | ||||
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| The stepped buttresses are of the 1300s, along with the trefoiled west window with hood-mould. | ||||
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| Ursula his wife | ||||
| There is a plaque on the north wall of
the chancel which is difficult to decipher. I can only
clearly read "Ursula his wife" (4th-5th line).
This suggests that it is a memorial to
Henry St John of Farley Chamberlayne (c.1568-1621). His second of three
wives was Ursula Stukely and he asked to be buried alongside her at
Farley Chamberlayne. He was buried there the day after his death on 7th
April 1621.
More here. So far, I think I am making out the following in the plaque (further deciphering welcomed): ......................................... strong and faithful ........................Hnry St Jn Esq ................................ vertuous..........................Ursula his wife for in her death be .......... before .................... she .. and(?) he should be her(?) man (?) ................................................. ................................................. ..................................... after his .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. |
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| The east end and east window | ||||
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| The porch dates from c.1910. 18th century
memorial on the left to Richard Gifford, died 1760, his wife Elizabeth
Gifford who died 1770 and his sister Frances Gifford who died 1775. The south doorway inside the porch is Norman of the 1100s. It has a round hood-mould and two radially placed faces biting into it. There are 5 consecration crosses carved into the west jamb. |
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| Nave and chancel. The nave roof with tie-beams and kingposts is medieval. The pulpit and altar rail are of the 18th century. | ||||
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| The nave looking west - The 18th century pulpit and tester - The new font commemorating the millennium walk from Farley Chamberlayne to Canterbury, consecrated by the Bishop of Winchester on Advent Sunday 2000. | ||||
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| Monuments by the altar | ||||
| A stone structure of good quality
contains the panelled tomb-chest and effigy of William St John who died
1609. Canopy of Ionic columns and achievement panel at the top. The memorial to the right of the east window is to John St John, died 1627, his wife Susanna who died 1628 and their infant son who died 1628, shown in a basket. Interesting Roman numerals apparently using V for D, i.e. 500. The memorial to the left of the east window is to the Rev. John St John who died in 1786. |
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| On the floor in front of the altar two 17th century gravestones of the St John family | ||||
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| Notes provided in the church | ||||
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Much
more about the manor and church from the Victoria County History
Map |
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