Sapey Old Church is located at the end of a lane beside the river Sapey that produces water full of silt in wintry conditions
Sapey Old Church is located at the end of a lane beside the river Sapey that produces water full of silt in wintry conditions. Near the village of Lower Sapey in Worcestershire, England is Old St Bartholomew's Church is a disused Anglican church, is a designated Grade II* listed building cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust. Also a Scheduled Ancient Monument, tt stands on a steep bank above a stream at the end of a winding lane. The church dates from the early part of the 12th century. It is likely that an earlier church existed on the site because the Domesday Book records the presence of a priest, but no trace of that church has survived. In the 14th century the south porch was built and a window was added to the south wall of the chancel. During the 19th century further alterations were made, including widening of windows, re-seating the church, and installing a west gallery. It is likely that the chancel arch was removed at this time. The functions of the church were replaced in 1877 by St Bartholomew's Church, Harpley. It was then neglected and was used for a time as a farm building. Since 1990 repairs and restoration have been carried out. This has been assisted by the formation of a local trust known as The Friends of Old St. Bartholomew's. The work included reinstating the west gallery. The intention of the restorers was "to make it appear as though we had never been on the site". The church was vested in the Churches Conservation Trust on 21 January 1994. It is constructed in sandstone rubble with tile roofs. The exterior is partly rendered. The east window consists of a single light under a pointed arch. On the south wall of the chancel is a window of two trefoiled lights under a square head, to the west of which is a blocked priest's door. On the north wall of the chancel is a narrow round-headed window. The south porch is built in timber on a rubble plinth. It has a gabled roof over curved wind braces. Its walls are weatherboarded.
Size: 4000px × 6000px
Location: Sapey, Worcestershire, England, UK
Photo credit: © Philip Chapman / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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