Inside St Mary the Virgin's Church, Upleadon (East)

The Nave is Norman. The early church had a Saxon East Window where the Chancel Arch is now. It was later deepened, and a Sanctuary and Chancel added. A new East Window was added at this time (1848/9). The side panels feature the Four Evangelists and the Centre Panel shows the Lamb of God. The Saxon Arch was later replaced by the present wide archway in 1879, but a drawing of it made between 1849 and 1879 has been preserved, as has a record of tombstones in the sanctuary dated 1622-1734.

Unfortunately I haven't seen these, and I also missed seeing a carving of the head of a pig, behind the Chancel Arch. The guide book tells us such symbolism is common in west-country churches, a sow and farrow indicating a selected holy place, with possibly also a link with boar-hunting in the forests of early times.

(Information provided by Rosemary Lockie)