St Andrew's Church Leigh, near Yetminster
ST 61783 08670, Lat. and Long. 50.8763 -2.5445. Lead authors: SA and PB.
St Andrew's Church, Leigh was formerly a chapelry of Yetminster but was made a separate parish in 1842. The Church is a Grade 2 listed building. (for listing details click HERE)
St Andrew's Church dates mainly from the C15, although the presence of a C13 font within the church suggests that the site may have earlier origins. It was formerly a chapel of the neighbouring parish of Yetminster but was made a separate parish in the late 1840s. Although planned in 1850 the addition of the aisle, which was designed by Robert Howard Shout, was carried out in c1854. In 1861 the entrance on the south side was enlarged. The church underwent an extensive restoration at a cost of £949 in 1889, although the architect is not known. The main east window and the south window in the chancel were restored in 2009.
St Andrew's Church dates mainly from the C15, although the presence of a C13 font within the church suggests that the site may have earlier origins. It was formerly a chapel of the neighbouring parish of Yetminster but was made a separate parish in the late 1840s. Although planned in 1850 the addition of the aisle, which was designed by Robert Howard Shout, was carried out in c1854. In 1861 the entrance on the south side was enlarged. The church underwent an extensive restoration at a cost of £949 in 1889, although the architect is not known. The main east window and the south window in the chancel were restored in 2009.
East end of south wall.
West door of Ham Hill Stone.
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South facing porch contrasting Forest Marble rubble stones and ashlar finished Ham Hill on the corners.
The church viewed from the south.
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The Exterior is built mainly of Forest Marble rubble stone with Ham Hill Stone ashlar-finished windows.
The Church is famous for its excellently preserved gargoyles of Ham Hill Stone.
The font is said to be 13th century and has been whitewashed so it is very difficult to identify. It may be a Greensand from the Vale of Wardour. The plinth on which the font stands appears to be made much more recently perhaps during the 19C renovations. It is probably Portland Limestone from Portland. Nearby in Leigh village is a Saxon Cross made of Ham Hill stone. This was where people would come to worship at a crossroads before the Church was built.
Cross at Leigh crossroads.
Toilet extension.
Detail through loupe of Forest Marble in extension.
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The Ham Hill Stone columns inside appear to be relatively new so probably part of the 1889 restoration.
Gargoyle of Ham Hill Stone.
Inside there are polished flagstones of Forest Marble.
A more recent extension for the toilet is built from Forest Marble. (see photographs by PB below)
Detail of Forest Marble in toilet extension.
Loupe image of Font bowl.
All text and images by SA except where stated. September 2017.
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