St Edward the Confessor, Kempley

The village of Kempley in Gloucestershire is fortunate and unusual in having not one, but two of the most interesting churches in England. St Mary, of Norman origin, with the oldest roof and the best medieval wall paintings, was declared redundant in 1976, and stands away from the present village centre. It is now managed by English Heritage. The currently used church, dedicated to St Edward the Confessor, was completed in 1903 by the architect A. Randall Wells when he was 25 years of age, and is a key building of the Arts and Crafts movement. It was constructed using local labour and materials and is a modern interpretation of medieval styles and forms. The finest features, to my mind, are the bell tower with its saddle-back roof, and the massive, reticulated west window.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

St Mary, Kempley

The small Norman church of St Mary at Kempley in Gloucestershire lies some way from the village's main cluster of buildings. An early twentieth century church of architectural significance now stands there, and St Mary's has been left in the care of English Heritage and is managed by the Friends of Kempley Church. The structure has the oldest timber roof of any building in England, and the chancel and nave feature some of the best preserved medieval wall paintings in Britain.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10