Listed Building: CHURCH OF ST ANDREW (285976)

TM 14 NE RUSHMERE ST. ANDREW 3/14 Church of St. Andrew 16.3.66 - II* Church. Mediaeval; but almost rebuilt apart from tower in 1861 by E.C. Hakewill. Nave, chancel, west tower, north aisle. Two major extensions were added 1968: an east nave with aisles to north and south, and a kitchen/vestry extension to north-west; both are in brown brick. The C19 walling is of flint rubble with freestone dressings; the tower also includes rubble of limestone and brick. Plaintiled roofs. Mid C12 south doorway, with arch of 2 zigzag- carved orders, and spiral-carved shafts with scalloped capitals; the door is late-mediaeval with C19 and C20 alterations. Bequests of 1496/7 and 1521/22 made for payment of full cost of tower. West doorway with heavy square hoodmould, and in the arch spandrels are the arms of Thomas Sampson (d.1439) and his wife Margery (nee Felbrigg); this may suggest that the tower was begun in mid C15. Above the doorway is a 3-light west window of 1861. 2-light belfry windows, lion-head gargoyles and flushwork-panelled parapets; at the corners are figures representing the evangelists, added 1861. The nave and chancel were rebuilt in the Early English style in 1861, but the Norman south doorway was dismantled and rebuilt. The roof was reconstructed with earlier components: alternating tie-beam and hammer-beam trusses in six-and-a-half bays, apparently of c.1600. 2 sets of 9 benches by William Poley, c.1861, have good poppyhead standards with angel and animal figures, said to be close copies of C15 benches found at the time of restoration. In the aisle floor are 4 C18 ledger slabs, and another to William Seely (d.1660). Some good stained glass of c.1861. Listing NGR: TM1961546061