The Old Church of St. Bartholomew, in Lower Sapey, Worcestershire, England


Situated at the end of a long, narrow, winding lane in a distant corner of Worcestershire, with only a single 17th c. farmhouse for company, the ancient Church of St. Bartholomew in Lower Sapey, or Sapey Pritchard, as it is sometimes known, feels very remote. So remote is it, in fact, that in 1876 the parishioners abandoned this simple Norman church for a new one, also dedicated to St. Bartholomew, which was more conveniently situated at Harpley. The font and other fittings were transfered to the new building, and, that done, instructions were issued for the original church to be reduced to low walling. For some reason, though, that was never done, and instead this venerable building, forgotten by the outside world, was used as a store for cider apples, as a hen house, and as a dumping ground for assorted domestic junk. Eventually, however, it was rediscovered, and restored by volunteers. Since 1994 it has been in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.


Size: 4287px × 2848px
Location: Lower Sapey, Worcestershire, England
Photo credit: © David Knighton / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: britain, british, church, churches, conservation, country, england, english, exterior, july, kingdom, parish, pritchard, redundant, rustic, sapey, scene, summer, topographical, trust, uk, united, worcestershire