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Hambleden

Turville Fingest Frieth Fawley Medmenham U.R.C.

Welcome to
St Bartholomew, Fingest

 

 


William Jackson

click for short video of the interior
Church History
  

This famous church sits at the centre of a historic village.

Surrounded by brick and flint churchyard walls, lined with ancient lime trees, the church can be seen from the  surrounding hills. It is listed Grade 1 which is classified as being of exceptional interest.

The massive western Norman tower was built early in the 12th century and has unusual twin gables - it is believed that only one other similar construction exists in the country.

Each side of the bell chamber has paired openings with semi-circular roll moulded arches. The tower once held two bells, only one of which remains, dating from 1830.

The chancel has two chamfered lancet windows to the north wall, two restored fifteenth century two- light traceried windows to the south, and a 14th century "Decorated" style window to the east. The church also has a reworked 15th century octagonal font with traceried panels.

There are smaller openings lower down the tower, and a 13th century traceried window to the west. The tower is wider than the nave. These two made up the original church with the chancel added in the 13th Century.

The nave has impressive ancient woodwork to the roof, with five sets of principle rafters with collar beams supported by curved brackets and wind braces.

The exterior of the church is roughcast and rendered a mellow ochre.

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