St Andrew's Church, Chilcomb
Nestled amongst the trees on the side of Deacon Hill with sweeping views westward down the valley towards Winchester and the Cathedral, this church remains little altered from the days of William the Conqueror. Few Churches can rival its setting and there is a moving beauty in its very simplicity.
Most authorities agree that there was a church at Chilcomb before the Conquest of 1066. The architecture of the present church is early Norman with distinct traces of Saxon influence, notably in the height in proportion to the width. The Chancel Arch is ornamented with rough dog tooth outline which suggests the work of Saxon craftsmen under the instruction of a Norman priest.
There are two bells, one dated 1380; the second, 1628. The church plate dates from 1589, with an Elizabethan Chalice; and from 1680, a silver Paten. These can be viewed in the Winchester Cathedral Treasury.
Above the Chancel arch hangs a simple crucifix made from driftwood, inlaid with bronze and gilded. It was made by Peter Eugene Ball, who is regarded as one of the leading contemporary religious sculptors, having created over 90 sculptures over the course of his career. www.petereball.com
The churchyard is managed so as to combine accessibility with optimum conditions for plants indigenous to ancient chalklands and woodlands, via areas segregated for this purpose. It is hoped that the survey to be carried out in 2022 will continue to reflect the diversity of flora that was recorded here over 10 years ago, at 99 species. Many of these plants are either uncommon or essential to the continued survival of rare butterflies, such as the Duke of Burgundy, or both.
Services are held here on the first Sunday of every month at 9am, as well as Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday.
We hope you will come, visit and pause, whether to just sit and be still or offer up a prayer.
Most authorities agree that there was a church at Chilcomb before the Conquest of 1066. The architecture of the present church is early Norman with distinct traces of Saxon influence, notably in the height in proportion to the width. The Chancel Arch is ornamented with rough dog tooth outline which suggests the work of Saxon craftsmen under the instruction of a Norman priest.
There are two bells, one dated 1380; the second, 1628. The church plate dates from 1589, with an Elizabethan Chalice; and from 1680, a silver Paten. These can be viewed in the Winchester Cathedral Treasury.
Above the Chancel arch hangs a simple crucifix made from driftwood, inlaid with bronze and gilded. It was made by Peter Eugene Ball, who is regarded as one of the leading contemporary religious sculptors, having created over 90 sculptures over the course of his career. www.petereball.com
The churchyard is managed so as to combine accessibility with optimum conditions for plants indigenous to ancient chalklands and woodlands, via areas segregated for this purpose. It is hoped that the survey to be carried out in 2022 will continue to reflect the diversity of flora that was recorded here over 10 years ago, at 99 species. Many of these plants are either uncommon or essential to the continued survival of rare butterflies, such as the Duke of Burgundy, or both.
Services are held here on the first Sunday of every month at 9am, as well as Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday.
We hope you will come, visit and pause, whether to just sit and be still or offer up a prayer.
