St Germain’s, Bovinger Bobbingworth

Bobbingworth – a Saxon name – is said to mean “the place of oxen”, Bovinger is a later abbreviation.

The parish church of  St Germain consists of nave, chancel, vestry, and north tower. At different periods parts of the church have been rebuilt so that very little medieval work now remains. In particular subsidence on the south side has necessitated constant repairs.

The date of the original nave is not known but it may be indicated by a 13th-century piscina in the south wall, now reset, which has a pointed head and attached shafts. In 1909 Frederic Chancellor stated that during then recent work to the south wall ancient oak uprights were found embedded near its west end. He suggested that these might have represented part of a pre-Conquest church, but in the absence of better evidence this must remain extremely doubtful.

The chancel, replaced in 1840, was probably of the 14th century. In 1835 it is described as of ancient appearance and the east window as 'a good specimen of the decorated style of architecture'. The nave roof is of the trussed rafter type and may be of the 15th century. Probably also in the 15th century a wooden bell tower was added beyond the west end of the nave. This appears to have been in two stages, the upper one of smaller diameter, and to have had a small shingled spire. The church still had a small north porch in the early 19th century and this may have been of late medieval origin.

The stone font is of the 15th century with an octagonal bowl and a moulded shaft. In 1770 the bowl was removed and a new one fitted to the pedestal.  In 1936 the original bowl, carved with the initials 'J.P.', was discovered in the churchyard at Little Parndon. It was presented to Bobbingworth by the Netteswell and Little Parndon Parochial Church Council and now occupies its original position. There is an iron-bound chest with two locks of the 17th century. The pulpit has early 17th-century arabesque ornament. The panelling and reading-desk in the nave appear to have been made up of woodwork of various dates, the oldest probably of the early 17th century. The seating in the nave is of early 19th-century date, the more elaborate pitch pine pews of the chancel probably date from 1840.

Six bells were presented by the Revd. W. M. Oliver in 1841. In 1834 an acre of land in the parish called Bell Acre formed part of the glebe; by tradition the rector was supposed to provide bell ropes and hassocks for the church from the rent it yielded. The then rector, however, refused to observe the tradition since there was no documentary evidence to support it. The custom appears never to have been revived.

On the nave roof are painted hatchments of the Capel Cures and Pooles.

The cache

You’re looking for a 35mm film canister. The cache has a log book but no pen so please bring one with you.

Church Micro Series

If any body would like to expand to this series please do, could you please let sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.