Church of St Eustace, Ibberton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Eustace, Ibberton |
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View from the east
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| 50°52′2″N 2°18′3″W / 50.86722°N 2.30083°W | |
| OS grid reference | ST 789 076 |
| Location | Ibberton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Eustace |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 4 Oct 1960 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Blackmore Vale Deanery |
| Diocese | Diocese of Salisbury |
The Parish Church of St Eustace is a very old and important Anglican church. It is located in the small village of Ibberton in Dorset, England. This special building stands on a steep hillside, just south of the village. It is officially known as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a very important historical place.
The church is part of a group of churches in the area, working together to serve the local communities.
Contents
A Look at the Church's History
The oldest parts of St Eustace Church are thought to be from the late 1300s, around 1380 to 1400. Imagine how much history this building has seen!
How the Church Grew Over Time
When it was first built, the church had two main parts:
- The chancel: This is the area near the altar, where the clergy (like priests) usually sit.
- The nave: This is the main part of the church where the people sit during services.
Over the years, more sections were added:
- In the 1400s, a north chapel (a smaller room for prayer) and the tower were built.
- In the 1500s, a north aisle was added. An aisle is like a walkway along the side of the church.
What the Church Looks Like from Outside
The church walls are made from a mix of stone and flint, which gives them a unique look. The tower is built from carefully cut stone blocks and has a fancy top edge called an embattled parapet, which looks a bit like the top of a castle wall.
Bringing the Church Back to Life
Towards the end of the 1800s, the church building started to fall apart. It needed a lot of repair!
- In 1892, a temporary church was put up. It was made of wood and corrugated iron, and people used it until 1909. This temporary church later became the village hall.
- From 1899 to 1927, a rector named Lionel Seymour Plowman was in charge of the church. During his time, a big restoration project began in 1902.
- An architect named Charles Ponting led the repairs. They rebuilt parts of the north wall, the arch leading to the chancel, and the porch (the entrance area).
- The church was officially reopened on July 17, 1909. The Bishop of Salisbury, John Wordsworth, was there for the special event.
Inside the Church
When you step inside, you'll see some interesting features:
- On the east wall, next to the altar, there are stone slabs from around 1800. These slabs have the Ten Commandments carved into them.
- You can also find memorial tablets on the walls of the chancel. These remember important people from the church's past, like Richard D'Aubeny, who was a rector, and Joseph D'Aubeny, a local squire.
- The font, which is a basin used for baptisms, is very old, dating back to the 1400s.
The Church Bells
The tower of St Eustace Church holds four bells. Each bell has its own story and age:
- One bell was made in 1641 by William Purdue.
- Another bell was made in 1656 by Thomas Purdue.
- A third bell dates from 1799, made by Thomas Mears.
- The newest bell is from 1813, made by James Wells.
In 1982, the famous Whitechapel Bell Foundry carried out repairs to the bells and their fittings, making sure they could continue to ring out for many more years.
