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Clerestory to crypt

@cryptandclerestory.bsky.social
240 followers 378 following 289 posts

An early-twenties church-crawler hoping to document his travels, and find new places of interest. All pictures my own unless stated otherwise. Interested in: rambling, nature, heritage, horticulture, and birdwatching.

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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
St. Peter, Wilcote, Oxon #SteepleSaturday Founded in late 12C as a tiny aisleless nave and chancel, it evolved organically with 13C rebuilding and early 14C additions. Despite Victorian overhauls by Henry Woodyer (1853) and Sir Arthur Blomfield (1868), it still feels much older.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Holy Trinity, Bottisham, Cambridgeshire #SteepleSaturday Largely early‑14C Decorated Gothic parish church that sits on a site of 12/13C origins. Tradition credits the 14C rebuild to Elias de Beckingham, Justice of the Common Pleas under Edward I, his lost brass once marked his tomb in the nave.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
All Saints, Steep, Hampshire #SteepleSaturday The church has nearly 900 years of history. Originally, a 12th‑century chapel of ease for East Meon in 1868 it became its own independent parish. It's furnished with a number of Edward Barnsley's works.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
St Mary, Longworth #SteepleSaturday A living palimpsest of English church architecture: a 13C core expanded steadily through the 14C (S aisle), 15C (tower and clerestory), and 17C (N aisle & vestry). Heavily connected to Oxford through Archbishop Laud, John Fell, and the Lux Mundi theologians.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
St Nicholas, Remenham, Oxon #SteepleSaturday C14 origins rebuilt in 1838 but owes much of its present appearance to a careful Victorian rebuilding of 1870–72 by Ronald Plumbe.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
St James, Shere, Surrey #SteepleSaturday 1190 origins, replacing a Saxon predecessor listed in the Domesday Book. A cruciform church of Transitional Early English style, built from mixed local stones, it still shows a fine blend of Norman to 14th-century elements with a Victorian restoration touch.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
St Peter, Alvescot #SteepleSaturday 13C origins and cruciform plan. Its story is one of growth and change: a 14C porch, a 15C tower added after a local benefactor, John Bonde, reportedly left 100 sheep for the purpose, and major Victorian restoration by William Slater and R.H. Carpenter.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
St George’s Church, Kencot #SteepleSaturday Has 12C roots which are still visible today. The chancel and windows were extended in the 13C, while the clerestory, porch, and the raising of the west tower belong to the late 15C and 16C. 19C restoration, followed by further repairs in 1962.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
St Mary, Black Bourton #SteepleSaturday A remarkable medieval church with roots in the 12C, combining Norman origins with later medieval additions (13C chapel, 14C porch, 15C tower). Though modest in appearance, it contains an exceptional survival of 13C wall paintings.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
St. Mary, Studley Royal. #SteepleSaturday Built in High Victorian Gothic Revival, 1871–78, by William Burges for the first Marchioness of Ripon. Its construction was partly funded by ransom money linked to the 1870 Dilessi Massacre, in which her brother Frederick Vyner was killed.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
Waltham Abbey #SteepleSaturday According to local legend Harold Godwinson is buried here. This was also the last monastic institution to be dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
St. Peter, Charney Bassett #SteepleSaturday The church stands beside Charney Manor, once an Abingdon Abbey grange. From possible Saxon beginnings the current building began in the early 12th century, grew in the 14th and 15th, then endured neglect, restoration, war damage and most recently repair.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
St. Matthias church, Richmond #SteepleSaturdsy Built in 1857 with tower completed in 1862. Designed by George Gilbert Scott.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
St. Margaret, Mapledurham #SteepleSaturday The earliest surviving fabric is 13C stonework, though most of the structure dates from the 14C and 15C. Restored 1834 under William IV and more extensively in 1863 by William Butterfield, who altered the tower, raised the roof, and added the north porch.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
St. Lawrence church, Waltham St. Lawrence was mentioned in the Domesday Book and is, in parts, 850 years old, although very much altered in subsequent periods. #SteepleSaturday
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
St Margaret's Church, Hinton Waldrist began as a mid-C13 church (c.1250), with nave, chancel & tower surviving from that phase. Late C13 and early C14 enlargements added transepts and remodelled the tower, shaping its cruciform plan. The porch, pulpit, and font are C19 additions. #SteepleSaturday
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
St. Saviour and St Peter, Eastbourne. #SteepleSaturday Designed by G. E. Street and completed in 1867.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
Haworth Church of Brontë fame photographed earlier today. #SteepleSaturday A chapel has stood here since at least 1488, with records of worship on the site from 1317. The 18th‑century tower still rises above the church, which was largely rebuilt in the Victorian era between 1879 and 1881.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
St. Mary, Thatcham, Berkshire. Mainly 13th century but heavily restored in the 19 century. Interestingly, the church was once known as St. Luke's but is commonly believed to have been originally known as St Mary's which it had reverted back to by the 1880s. #SteepleSaturday
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
St. Mary, Bucklebury, Berkshire. #SteepleSaturday Created from flint, tile, rubble and Ferricrete, the church showcases mainly 12th- and 15th-century work, with 19th-century additions. The roof is tiled, with separate covers for nave and aisle, and dormer windows on the nave’s south side.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
#MosaicMonday
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Watts Chapel was designed and built by Mary Watts (1895-1904) as a joint memorial to her and G.F. Watts, reflecting their partnership and both were prominent artists. The chapel’s near-circular cruciform design and symbolic terracotta surface express Mary’s artistic vision and both their ideals.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
St Helen’s, Marr, Doncaster built in rubble limestone dates from the 12th century, with its tower added and the building remodelled between the 13th and early 14th centuries. Later, the 15th century brought the south porch, parapet, and spire. #SteepleSaturday
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
Henry Lockwood's 1850s restoration of St Andrew's Church, Kingham, brought new vision. He combined and retained medieval, Tudor, 17th century, and Georgian features whilst reimagining the structure in Decorated Gothic style uniting past and Victorian present. #SteepleSaturday
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Pipa💙 @pipapipia.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
Here are some of my drawings.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
All Saints, West Dean, is Saxo-Norman in origin with many additions and restored in 1878 & 1961. Built in flint & Eastbourne sandstone, with a Norman lower tower & Early C14 upper stage. Its rare gable spire, likened to a monk’s cowl, was called unique in Sussex by John Betjeman. #SteepleSaturday
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
St Peter’s, Daylesford (1859–63) is High Victorian Gothic and layed out in a cruciform plan. Pearson’s mighty spire, muscular tower, and lavish stone carving showcase the movement’s love of power, ornament, and Ruskinian ideals in stone. #steeplesaturday
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
St Mary’s Church on Brownsea Island was consecrated in 1854 and dedicated to St Mary on the Feast of the Visitation. It is an Anglican parish church, designed by Blanchard of Poole.
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Barb Drummond @barbdrummond.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
#MemorialMonday from beneath a giant yew in Winterbourne Hannah Fouracres “30 years a maid 15 months a wife 4 hours a mother”
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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
The stunning St. Peter's Church, Conisbrough is thought to be the oldest functioning building in South Yorkshire. Built around 750 AD it served as a Minster to around 17 other churches from Harthill in the west to Goole in the east. It was extended from 1100 to 1450 which is how it looks today. /1
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
St George, Cullercoats #SteepleSaturday Built 1882-84 by renowned architect John Loughborough Pearson (Truro & Brisbane cath.), commissioned by 6th Duke of Northumberland in George, his father's, memory. It's a prime example of Victorian Gothic architecture, notable for its complete stone vaulting.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
All Saints Church, Northallerton #SteepleSaturday Mainly Perpendicular in style with cruciform plan exterior. Central tower rebuilt in 1420 after original's collapse. North arcade (c.1120) and later south arcade remain visible, while the chancel was rebuilt in 1885 to match the Perpendicular style.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
St Mary, Leake. #SteepleSaturday It features a 12C Norman west tower and arch, with N&S aisles added in the 13C —the south aisle likely built later, alongside the extended 14C chancel. The 15C clerestory and east window add further interest, and four medieval mass dials remain on the south wall.
Photo of St Mary, Leake which you see when driving up the A19 near Thirsk.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
St. Nectan, Welcombe #SteepleSaturday It began as a pre-Conquest chapel of Hartland. In 1508, it was rebuilt and enlarged with north and south transepts. The church saw major restoration in 1883–84, and a vestry was added in 1904.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
St. Nectan's Church, Welcombe #SteepleSaturday It began as a pre-Conquest chapel of Hartland. In 1508, it was rebuilt and enlarged with north and south transepts. The church saw major restoration in 1883–84, and a vestry was added in 1904.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
St. Thomas, Huddersfield. #SteepleSaturday Designed by renowned Gothic Revival architect Sir George Gilbert Scott and built 1857–59. Its standout feature is the dramatic four-stage south-west tower with a broach spire, complemented by intricate tracery, grouped lancets, and striking stonework.
Photo of the aforementioned church from the south side an an only mildly cloudy day. The tower and spire is on the left.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
St Peter, Drayton, Oxfordshire. #SteepleSaturday Norman origins, with 15C Perpendicular west tower and north aisle. The south transept was rebuilt in 1855, chancel in 1872, and south porch added in 1879 by Edwin Dolby. The roof is predominantly lead. Church restored after a 1959 fire.
Photo of south side of church on grey day with the lychgate and south porch visible.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
I have a deep fascination with Victorian death culture, especially the poetic gravestone rhymes. These verses, blending sentimentality and symbolism, offer a poignant glimpse into how Victorians coped with loss, remembered loved ones, and expressed their beliefs about mortality and the afterlife.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Holy Trinity Church, Huddersfield. #SteepleSaturday Built 1816–19 by Thomas Taylor, it's a tall, simple Gothic-style building with a four-stage tower, embattled parapets, pinnacles, and Y-tracery windows. The church features a large burial crypt beneath the east end as well as its clerestory!
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
St. Mary's Church, Kettlewell. #SteepleSaturday Only surviving element of the Georgian church is the west tower (1820) by Thomas Anderson. In contrast, the rest was rebuilt (1882-1885) by T.H. and F. Healey in Gothic style, characterized by perpendicular windows and cross finials on the gables.
Exterior photo of kettlewell church on sunny day - tower is on left and nave and chancel on right.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Redundant St. Peter's, Dulwich Common. #SteepleSaturday Charles Barry Jr. design in Geometric Gothic style completed in 1885 having been part financed by Hornimans. It was declared redundant in 1984 by CofE, previously used by Benedictine Community, before becoming part of the Deeper Life Church.
Photo of the redundant church and the parish hall also designed by Charles Barry Jr.
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Sally Badham @sallybadham.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Abingdon, Berkshire. An unusual family tree.
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Mary B @beesincampanula.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
For #StainedGlassSunday these stamped quarries of leaves, 1850. Displayed at Ely Cathedral
Stamped quarries were made by pressing the soft glass into moulds. The indentations could then be coloured. Silver was used here to give the yellow tones.
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Steve Teratsia 📷 @steveteratsia.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
#church #wales #cymru #cwmyoy #monmouthshire #uk #landscape #travel #architecture #history #medieval #photography The fabulously wonky 12th century St Martin's church at Cwmyoy, Monmouthshire. Story here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mart...
St Martin's church at Cwmyoy, Monmouthshire.St Martin's church at Cwmyoy, Monmouthshire.
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Mary B @beesincampanula.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
For #stainedglassSunday this roundel depicting a boar,the heraldic badge of the De Vere family, prob1340-60. Displayed at Ely Cathedral.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
Cheltenham Minster #steeplesaturday Town's oldest surviving medieval building, dating back to mid-11C! It replaced a Saxon church. Mainly early 14C with 19C restoration. It boasts a broach spire, 14th-century window tracery, a canopied piscina, and a baptistery with lierne vaulting.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
St. Laurence, Silchester, Hampshire. #SteepleSaturday The oldest walls date back to the early 12th century. The building features flint and stone dressings, partly plastered, with a fish weather vane atop its shingled bell turret. Set charmingly on a mound near the buried Roman city by a pond.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Italian Font (1300-1500) in the Burrell Collection, Glasgow. #FontsonFriday The white bit in between the bowl and the base appears to be a metal support suggesting that the bowl is rather too large and heavy for its base to manage. Description beneath explains the font left Italy in the 1800s.
Italian font either limestone of marble with lions at the base and people on the stand, ornately carved top bowl
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
St. Laurence, Tidmarsh, Berkshire #AdoorableThursday Late 12C origins. It features three continuous round-arched orders, each richly ornamented with chevron and chain motifs. At the apex of this doorway is a trefoiled panel carved with a bearded face, generally interpreted as representing Christ.
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Clerestory to crypt @cryptandclerestory.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
#TilesonTuesday Tiles at Bath Abbey depicting the extinct talbot dog. Known for its tracking prowess & strength, this small to medium-sized hound was a symbol of nobility in heraldry. Though extinct, its legacy lives on in modern breeds like the Beagle & Bloodhound.
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