Out in the pleasant Derbyshire countryside sits the quiet village of Dalbury with it's modest looking parish church. At first glance it doesn't look very exciting, a rather restored building with a miniature west tower, but it holds a treasure that deserves to be better known and the reason for me making this trip, very likely the oldest complete stained glass window in the country.
The church is a simple building, originally a Norman two-cell structure of nave and chancel but much altered since, including the later addition of a north aisle. Inside its simplicity is charming, all light rendered, bright and cheerful. Not a lot remains that actually looks medieval, except for the one aforementioned special feature in the south wall of the nave.
The Romanesque Dalbury angel is a striking piece, believed to date from the early 12th century but possibly older still, its stylised form as close to Saxon as Norman inspiration. It was clearly made for a small round-headed Norman style aperture, but sadly as no such openings remain at the church it has been transferred to a larger window and reset in plain glazing. The painting is simple but bold, the expressive face stares back at us with its large eyes and linear features while raising his hands in an act of praise. A very special and rather unique survival in an English church.
Happily Dalbury church appears to be more welcoming to visitors than the others I had visited on this trip so far, and getting to finally meet the Dalbury Angel in person was a particular delight and highlight of the day for me.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints%27_Church,_Dalbury#History
Tags: Dalbury church Derbyshire medieval architecture
© All Rights Reserved
Out in the pleasant Derbyshire countryside sits the quiet village of Dalbury with it's modest looking parish church. At first glance it doesn't look very exciting, a rather restored building with a miniature west tower, but it holds a treasure that deserves to be better known and the reason for me making this trip, very likely the oldest complete stained glass window in the country.
The church is a simple building, originally a Norman two-cell structure of nave and chancel but much altered since, including the later addition of a north aisle. Inside its simplicity is charming, all light rendered, bright and cheerful. Not a lot remains that actually looks medieval, except for the one aforementioned special feature in the south wall of the nave.
The Romanesque Dalbury angel is a striking piece, believed to date from the early 12th century but possibly older still, its stylised form as close to Saxon as Norman inspiration. It was clearly made for a small round-headed Norman style aperture, but sadly as no such openings remain at the church it has been transferred to a larger window and reset in plain glazing. The painting is simple but bold, the expressive face stares back at us with its large eyes and linear features while raising his hands in an act of praise. A very special and rather unique survival in an English church.
Happily Dalbury church appears to be more welcoming to visitors than the others I had visited on this trip so far, and getting to finally meet the Dalbury Angel in person was a particular delight and highlight of the day for me.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints%27_Church,_Dalbury#History
Tags: Dalbury church Derbyshire medieval architecture
© All Rights Reserved
Out in the pleasant Derbyshire countryside sits the quiet village of Dalbury with it's modest looking parish church. At first glance it doesn't look very exciting, a rather restored building with a miniature west tower, but it holds a treasure that deserves to be better known and the reason for me making this trip, very likely the oldest complete stained glass window in the country.
The church is a simple building, originally a Norman two-cell structure of nave and chancel but much altered since, including the later addition of a north aisle. Inside its simplicity is charming, all light rendered, bright and cheerful. Not a lot remains that actually looks medieval, except for the one aforementioned special feature in the south wall of the nave.
The Romanesque Dalbury angel is a striking piece, believed to date from the early 12th century but possibly older still, its stylised form as close to Saxon as Norman inspiration. It was clearly made for a small round-headed Norman style aperture, but sadly as no such openings remain at the church it has been transferred to a larger window and reset in plain glazing. The painting is simple but bold, the expressive face stares back at us with its large eyes and linear features while raising his hands in an act of praise. A very special and rather unique survival in an English church.
Happily Dalbury church appears to be more welcoming to visitors than the others I had visited on this trip so far, and getting to finally meet the Dalbury Angel in person was a particular delight and highlight of the day for me.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints%27_Church,_Dalbury#History
Tags: Dalbury church Derbyshire medieval architecture
© All Rights Reserved
Out in the pleasant Derbyshire countryside sits the quiet village of Dalbury with it's modest looking parish church. At first glance it doesn't look very exciting, a rather restored building with a miniature west tower, but it holds a treasure that deserves to be better known and the reason for me making this trip, very likely the oldest complete stained glass window in the country.
The church is a simple building, originally a Norman two-cell structure of nave and chancel but much altered since, including the later addition of a north aisle. Inside its simplicity is charming, all light rendered, bright and cheerful. Not a lot remains that actually looks medieval, except for the one aforementioned special feature in the south wall of the nave.
The Romanesque Dalbury angel is a striking piece, believed to date from the early 12th century but possibly older still, its stylised form as close to Saxon as Norman inspiration. It was clearly made for a small round-headed Norman style aperture, but sadly as no such openings remain at the church it has been transferred to a larger window and reset in plain glazing. The painting is simple but bold, the expressive face stares back at us with its large eyes and linear features while raising his hands in an act of praise. A very special and rather unique survival in an English church.
Happily Dalbury church appears to be more welcoming to visitors than the others I had visited on this trip so far, and getting to finally meet the Dalbury Angel in person was a particular delight and highlight of the day for me.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints%27_Church,_Dalbury#History
Tags: Dalbury church Derbyshire medieval architecture
© All Rights Reserved
Out in the pleasant Derbyshire countryside sits the quiet village of Dalbury with it's modest looking parish church. At first glance it doesn't look very exciting, a rather restored building with a miniature west tower, but it holds a treasure that deserves to be better known and the reason for me making this trip, very likely the oldest complete stained glass window in the country.
The church is a simple building, originally a Norman two-cell structure of nave and chancel but much altered since, including the later addition of a north aisle. Inside its simplicity is charming, all light rendered, bright and cheerful. Not a lot remains that actually looks medieval, except for the one aforementioned special feature in the south wall of the nave.
The Romanesque Dalbury angel is a striking piece, believed to date from the early 12th century but possibly older still, its stylised form as close to Saxon as Norman inspiration. It was clearly made for a small round-headed Norman style aperture, but sadly as no such openings remain at the church it has been transferred to a larger window and reset in plain glazing. The painting is simple but bold, the expressive face stares back at us with its large eyes and linear features while raising his hands in an act of praise. A very special and rather unique survival in an English church.
Happily Dalbury church appears to be more welcoming to visitors than the others I had visited on this trip so far, and getting to finally meet the Dalbury Angel in person was a particular delight and highlight of the day for me.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints%27_Church,_Dalbury#History
Tags: Dalbury church Derbyshire stained glass window medieval Romanesque Norman
© All Rights Reserved