More information : (ST 79820228) Abbey Church (NR)(1)
The original Minister dedicated to St Mary, St Sampson and
St Branwalader, was founded by King Athelston in 933. Of this
building a solitary fragment lies in the N Transept. The Church was
enlarged if not rebuilt in Norman times, but almost totally destroyed
in a fire of 1309. The present Abbey Church was started in 1322
and building continued up to within a few years of the Dissolution
in 1539. The Lady Chapel was destroyed after the dissolution, and
in 1789 church restoration of sorts despoiled it of many of its
fittings, chantry chapels etc (2). The Abbey Church stands to the
south of the site of the Abbey. It is T-shaped and consists of a
chancel, a N and S aisle, a transept and square tower, but has
no nave.
The nave, which was burnt down in 1309 seems never to have been
rebuilt, but it possibly extended from the W end of the church to
the extremity of the churchyard. (Full architectural details of
interior of church) (3).
The Abbey Church comes under the Diocese of Salisbury, and the
upkeep falls upon that Diocese. The building is however used as a
chapel for Milton Abbey School, and not used as a parish church (a).
The building is in a good state of preservation, and correctly
portrayed on the OS 1/2500, 1901. (4)
Abbey Church of St Mary, St Sampson and St Branwalader. Grade I. (5,6)
(See ST 70 SE 47 for illus and additional bibliography)
Part of a 10th century cross shaft are in the South transept. The interlace type does not conform to any geometric form, and may be compared with Whitcombe. (7) |