Church of St Mary, Oare
| Church of St Mary | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Oare, Somerset, England |
| Coordinates | 51°12′45″N 3°42′59″W / 51.2124°N 3.7164°W |
| Built | 15th century |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Official name | Church of St Mary |
| Designated | 22 May 1969[1] |
| Reference no. | 1345381 |
  Location of Church of St Mary in Somerset | |
The Anglican Church of St Mary in Oare, Somerset, England, was built in the 15th century. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]
History[edit]
The nave and inner chancel survive from a 15th-century building, but the outer chancel and tower were rebuilt in the 19th century.[1]
The parish and benefice of Oare with Culbone is part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells.[2]
The church was used as the location of a marriage in the novel Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore, whose grandfather had been the rector of the church[3] between 1809 and 1842.[4]
Architecture[edit]
The stone building has slate roofs. It consists of a three-bay nave, with an inner and outer chancel, each of one bay. The three-stage is unbuttressed.[1]
Inside the church are 18th century box pews and a Norman font on an 18th-century base.[1] There is also a 15th-century piscina with a "grotesque head",[5] said to represent St Decuman.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Historic England. "Church of St Mary (1345381)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ "Oare Church, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Oare". A Church Near You. Church of England. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "Oare Church and the Doone Valley". Visit Exmoor. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ a b Allen, N. V. (1974). Churches and Chapels of Exmoor. Exmoor Press. pp. 70–72. ISBN 978-0900131165.
- ^ "MSO7737 - St Mary's Church and Churchyard, Oare". Exmoor Historic Environment Record. Exmoor National Park. Retrieved 17 September 2017.