More information : (SY 69859056) St. George's Church (C of E) [NAT] (1)
Parish church of St. George, Fordington which stands on the site
of a Roman cemetery (1430786) has portions of the south
aisle and porch dating from the late 12th century. The south
transept was probably added in the 14th century although new
arches were inserted in the late 15th century and remodelling
took place in 1754. The west tower was also built in the late
15th century. In the 18th century a new chancel was built which
has since been destroyed, and in 1833 the north aisle and arcade
were added. A very large scheme of rebuilding and eastward
extension of the church was begun in 1907 which has altered the
character of the building.
During excavations for these modern alterationss, old
foundations were revealed aligned east-west beneath the 12th
century south arcade, and aligned north-south between the
12th/15th century composite pier on the south and the position
of the pier now opposite. These foundations may indicate the
position of the south wall of the nave and the chancel arch of
an older church. The late 11th century south doorway of the
present church is undoubtedly reset from this early church.
Other foundations may have been no more than later sleeper
walls. A Roman tombstone discovered under the porch is now in
the nave (see SY 69 SE 76). Plan. Grade A. (2,3)
St George's, Fordington. Described. (4)
The south doorway is surmounted by a sulptured relief, which is not a tympanum, depicting St George mounted on horseback attacking three Saracens. Two kneeling Crusaders apparently offer thanksgiving. This iconography of "St George at Antioch" dates to the time of the First Crusade, c 1098-1110, and is rare. (5)
Fordington was probably a minster, although if it was, there was no discernible parochia. (6,7) |