The church dates from the later part of the 11th century, with additions and alterations in the 12th and 13th centuries.[2] The south aisle was re-built in the about 1323 as a chantry for the rector, Thomas de Burgh.[3]Restoration of the church was carried out between 1864 and 1876 by William Butterfield; this included adding the east window and the south windows of the chancel, and the saddleback roof on the tower.[3] The timber roofs of the nave and chancel also date from this restoration.[2]Fletcher Christian, leader of the Mutiny on the Bounty, was baptised in the church on the day of his birth in 1764.[1][4]
Architecture
Exterior
St Bridget's is constructed in calciferous sandstoneashlar, and has a green slate roof. Its plan consists of a three-bay nave with a south aisle and south porch, and a two-bay chancel with a north vestry. At the west end is a three-storey tower with a saddleback roof, and at the ends of the gables are cross finials.[2] The church contains elements of Norman, Gothic and Gothic Revival architecture. The Norman features include a blocked doorway in the north wall, and the arcade between the nave and the south aisle. The ground floor of the tower is tunnel-vaulted.[3]Medieval cross slabs have been incorporated in the north wall and in the blocked west door.[2]
Interior
Both the nave and the chancel have painted timber roofs. The south aisle contains a piscina, a sedilia, and a recess for the tomb of Thomas de Burgh, who died in 1348.[2] In the church are pieces of carved stone; these include an Anglo-Danish cross-socket, and fragments dating from the pre-Norman period.[3] The east window contains stained glass depicting the Ascension, designed by Alexander Gibbs, and is a memorial to Rev John Wordsworth, son of William Wordsworth, who was vicar of the church for 40 years.[4] On each side of the east window are niches for statues.[3] There is more glass by Gibbs in other windows, dating from 1865, and glass elsewhere by Cox & Buckley and Sons, from 1870.[2][4] The font dates either from the 13th century[2] or possibly from the 17th century.[3] The two-manual organ was built in 1895 by W. Hill and Son of London.[5]
External features
In the churchyard is a red sandstonesundial dated 1684. It has a square shaft, the head is weathered and the gnomon is missing. The sundial is a Grade II listed structure.[6] The churchyard also contains many carved gravestones from the 17th to the 19th centuries, and the table tomb of Fletcher Christian's father Charles.[7]
