The Church Of St Simon and St Jude at Bramdean
The Chancel and Nave together with the Bell Tower of wood formed the medieval church (c1170). The first recorded lector was Giles the Englisman who 'began his ministry on 1st January 1289. The Porch, south transept and vestry were added in the late 19th century.
The structure of the walls of the Chancel and Nave were mainly flint rubble with stone dressing to the windows, whilst the walls are rendered with a variety of mixes.
Thomas Dumford in the Eighteenth century, Rector for 51 years from 1741-1792, wrote that "he found the church little changed since Giles the Englishman "began his ministry in 1289".
In the South Transept and Vestry, the walls are dressed with split flint on the outside with quoins of stone dressing to the windows.
On the 8th November 1918, the Parish Church of Bramdean was joined with All Saints Church, Hinton Ampner, and on 6th September 1974, St.Andrew's Church, Kilmeston joined the Benefice, which has continued to the present.
CHANCEL
The Altar table is early 17th century The Credence table on the south side of the sanctuary was made from parts of the 17th century altar rails, which were removed during a period of restoration. The present Communion rails were placed in 1894 in memory of Louisa F.K.Bishop, wife of the Rev A.C.Bishop (Rector from 1866 to 1885). The three windows to St.Matthew, St.Mark (on the North) and St. Luke (on the South) are dedicated to the Rev. William Gomm, who died after "being Rector for 38 years, and his family. They were placed in 1863 by General Sir William Gomm, GCB. Probably the oldest monument existing in the church is a small brass plate on the South choir stalls which (when the Latin is translated) reads "Here lies Maria Travers wife of Thomas Travers who died on the 27 May 1693". The choir stalls are dated 1911.
NAVE
The roof is a very old trussed rafter roof. The Font is modern of 13th century style. The entrance doorway and Chancel Arch were part of the medieval church. The front Door is old, being made of two thickness's of board with strap hinges and a wooden lock case. The pulpit was replaced in 1972 by a carved oak linenfold pulpit which came from the redundant church of St. Barnabas, Silverton.
Of the windows, the large lower West window is 15th century. Unhappily, the stained glass was damaged by bombing in the 1939-45 War and was replaced by plain glass in 1949. The two other windows in the North wall are dedicated to Honora Legge 1861 and Field Marshall Sir William Gomm 1875. Also on the North wall is a list of Rectors from 1289 to the present, and a chart of the graves in the churchyard.
LECTERN
The Lectern, in American white oak, was given to the church in January 1990 by the then Rector, Humphrey Llewelyn in memory of his wife Margaret. The relief carved roundels in the base include her initials and symbolic emblems; it was made by a Bramdean craftsman.. A New International Version Bible sits on the lectern in memory of the said Humphrey Llewelyn (who died in 1991).
THE BELL TOWER
It is carried on the West wall of the church and on a wooden beam spanning the nave. There are two bells, without any inscription, date or weight. Although it is believed that that the tower was part of the original 12th century church, it has been rebuilt at least twice. The last time was 1955 by R.G. Crockford of Cheriton, and the bells were rehung to commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
SOUTH TRANSEPT
This was added to the church c1877, though it may be older since two stone tablets on the West wall are dated 1857 and 1863. The West window is dedicated to the memory of William Cowper-Coles, a Rector, and dated 1867. On the ledge is a War Memorial list of parishioners with 23 names from the 1914 War and 6 names from the 1939 War. The actual War Memorial stands on the side of the A272 road towards Hinton.
THE VESTRY
This was built at the same time as the Transept. It was formerly the Organ Chamber. Now the church boasts a modern Alien Electronic organ.
WEST WALL
A list of benefactors between 1675 and 1766 and three pictures of the church are hung here. One 1835 shows the South aspect before the transept was added.
THE CHURCHYARD
Many of the older graves to the South and. West have been levelled but the record is preserved on the above mentioned chart. On the East wall of the church outside traces of Norman windows can be seen either side of the present East window. Also on the South side of the Nave outside, a trace of an original window can be discerned. There are two fine 18th century Renaissance table tombs on the left of the entrance path and two more behind the church.
THE GATE
The Lych Gate was erected c1894 in memory of Mrs.L.F.K. Bishop. She was the widow of the Rector who built the "Church in the Wood" on Bramdean Common, endowed it in her will. The proceeds, currently invested, are used for maintenance of that church.
If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication
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