All Saints, Dummer

Located south west of Basingstoke and just off the M3, the pretty village of Dummer is home to a church rich in interest and full of character.

Mentioned in the Doomsday Book, the present building dates from around 1200, albeit with additions throughout the mediaeval period. Entered through a pretty 15th Century west porch, the first impression is one of gloom, thanks to the large 17th century gallery dominating the west end, which also contains the massive timber framing for the bell turret. The 13th century chancel arch is framed on the north by a fine 14th century niche, thought once to have been the reredos of a nave altar. On the south is a restored squint, rounded headed on the east side but decorated with cinquefoil cusps to the west. The chancel has three lancets in the east wall, filled with stained glass by Kempe, and a cusped piscina. Most impressive, however, is the 15th century rood beam and canopy above the chancel arch. This is a rare survival, and well preserved: it has twelve panels, decorated with bosses picked out in gold. 

The church has furnishings rich enough to match the architecture. Pride of place goes to the early  pulpit, dated to 1380 and with traceried panels. It is one of the oldest in England. Famous preachers who have used it include George Whitfield (1714-1770), who founded the Calvanistic Methodists, and Charles Wesley. The communion rails are 17th century, and Royal Coat of Arms in the chancel are those of Charles II (dated 1672). 

There are numerous small brasses, including one to William Moore, alias Dummer (d. 1508) and his wife, Katherine Brydges. Oddly, the space left for the date of his death was never filled in. In the nave, another brass records William Moore (alias Dummer) and his wife Ellen (d. 1427), in rhyming Latin verse. The nave has the remains of a 14th century tomb recess and also, beneath the gallery, a rare 16th century hinged palimpsest brass, recording different memorials on each side: on the rear, it commemorates Robert Clerk, priest, who dies c. 1500; on the front it recall Allys (Alice) Magewyk (d. 1591).

The church is in the benefice of Farleigh, Candovers and Wield, which contains 9 churches, and details of activities and service times.

All Saints, Farleigh Lane, Dummer, RG25 2AF

St Michael, North Waltham

 St Michael's sits atop a small rise at the north end of North Waltham, surrounded by a churchyard which was full of daffodils and primroses on my visit during Holy Week.

The church was rebuilt on the site of its mediaeval predecessor in 1895-6 by the prolific Winchester architect John Colson (1820-1895), responsible for the rebuilding of several of Hampshire's churches in the 19th century. The design is a simple double cell of nave and chancel, with north aisle and porch, topped with a shingle spire.

Colson reused a number of elements from the earlier building, most notably two of the arcade arches of c. 1200, which have robust drum columns, cushion capitals and moulded bases, supporting pointed arches. The chancel is of around 1300 with some original details alongside the 19th century east window and the rather elaborately decorated replacement chancel arch, all zig-zag and dogtooth. The chancel also has a fine surviving Decorated piscina, with an elaborately crocketed gable of surprising richness. At the rear of the church is a 15th century Perpendicular font, with pretty quartrefoils - this was brought from nearby Popham.

The church is part of a united benefice with Steventon, Ashe and Deane. It hosts services services every Sunday, as well as a Messy Church for children and families, and children's holiday clubs.

St Michael's, Church Road, North Waltham, RG25 2BL