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Churches
The Buried Church of Chilton CandoverThis crypt chapel is all that remains of an ancient church built probably about 1100. A later church was built on the same site, possibly in the 14th century. This church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, fell into disuse in 1845 and was finally demolished in 1875. The existence of this crypt was entirely forgotten save by one old man who remembered playing in it as a boy. His recollections prompted the then Rector, the Rev. E P Gough, to start excavating it with the result that this old Norman building is still intact. The nave was formerly much longer as shown by the flintwork outside the doorway and the plan. The crypt seems to have been built in a recess hollowed out of the chalk slope, so that the small windows were just above ground level. The angles of the chancel arch are curiously rounded, this being possibly due to animals rubbing themselves against the corners when the church was derelict. The Manor house of the Worsley family, facing the long yew avenue across the valley, has long disappeared. It stood immediately to the west of the church – to which it was evidently connected. The funeral slab found in the ruins overhead contains the following inscription – -N DU CANDEVE GIT This probably refers to John d’Andely, a descendant of Richard de Andely who held the manor of Chilton Candover in 1080. The font, probably 12th Century, was found amongst the debris at the entrance. The church of St. Nicholas, Chilton Candover can be visited all the year round and an annual outdoor evening service is held on the first Sunday in June. St. Nicholas Church, Chilton CandoverOriginally a Norman church, during the 12C a simple but larger church was built on top of it and what was left of the original church became a burial chamber.
The 12C church was pulled down in 1875 and the burial chamber was ‘lost’ until, in 1929, it was excavated revealing the tomb of John of Candover.
St. Peter's Church, Brown Candover
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Page last edited on 23 Jul 2007 © Candovers Parish Council Assisted by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council |
