Church of St Mary, Oare
The Anglican Church of St Mary in Oare, Somerset, England was built in the 15th century. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]
Church of St Mary | |
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Location | Oare, Somerset, England |
Coordinates | 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 |
History
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
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
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to St Mary's church, Oare, Somerset. |
- 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. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- "Oare Church and the Doone Valley". Visit Exmoor. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- 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.