A brief glance at the two drawings show
us how vastly different the Church looked before and
after the great restoration and enlargement which took
place in 1867.
In that year the Chancel and north and
south Aisles were extended eastwards, the three
galleries at the west end removed, the door in the
north wall walled in, a Vestry Room added, the whole
Floor repaved, new Windows inserted in the walls of the
Church and Chancel, a Communion Table and Rails, Pulpit,
Reading Desk, Organ, and Pews set up.
The history of the Church dates from Plantagenet times.
William I (The Conqueror) granted the Manor of Samford
(i.e. Sandy Ford) to one of his chief generals at the
Battle of Hastings, Roger Arundel.
Arundel is a nick-name from Old French arendel, meaning swallow. This
Roger's grandson Roger some time before 1265 granted
the Church of Sampford Arundel to the Monastery of
Canonsieigh 2½ miles away in Burlescombe parish, Devon.
Remains of this monastery soon to become a nunnery are
still extant.
The List of Vicars of Sampford Arundel
placed near the Font begins with Robert Howel, 1324,
He is the first resident Vicar whose name we know, the
Abbess and Convent having previously appointed only
visiting Chaplains to the Church. Thus though much of
the present building dates from the 13th. century there
has been a Church on this site for at least 765 years.
The Heart Shrine in the north wall, probably 15th.
century, is of most unusual character consisting of
two arms supporting a truncated sphere thought to
represent a heart.
The crocketed canopy is of later
date surmounted by a (?) helm. This Shrine may
possibly be that of a crusader or of a Sampford
Arundel man who died in foreign parts whose relics
were placed in the deep recess in front which has
long been empty.
The oak Choir Stalls dedicated in 1946 were made by
Mr. W.E.Underhill of Holcombe Rogus, Devon.
The Altar was raised in height from 2'8" to 3' and
a 4" step made before it in 1937.
The two hanging Pictures in the Chancel were given
by Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Fox of Easterlands in 1946.
The carved oak Pulpit was presented in 1900 by Mrs. Sweet and
her family as a memorial to the Reverend George Sweet, Vicar
of this parish. It was designed, carved and erected by Mr.W.J.
Giles of Taunton.
The Monument on the west wall of the north aisle is to
Christopher Baker, High Sheriff of Somerset in 1724 who died
in 1729. It is the oldest monument in the Church.
The Church Registers date from 1695.
The Church Plate includes a Chalice with Cover made by Thomas
Parr both inscribed "C.B. Sampferd 1707" the initials JR.
probably being those of the Christopher Baker mentioned above,
also a Paten inscribed "G I.E. 1725" ; also a Chalice and
Paten given in memory of L.Harold G.Morgan of Woolombe in this
parish who died in 1959.
The War Memorial by the Church gates was erected in 1921.
The Church Clock with two faces was given by Mr. Gilchrist of
Werescote in this parish who died in 1959.
The Church Bells
There is a very good peal of six Bells :-
The 1st. (weight 2½ cwt.) added in 1958 is inscribed "Glory
to GOD in the Highest"
The 2nd. inscribed "Thomas Bilbie, Cullompton, Devon :
fecit 1794 ".
The 3rd. inscribed "Long live William the 4th. A.D.1830
W. and C.T.Paimel. Founders. Cullompton ".
The 4th. inscribed "Me melior non est campana sub" . .
Translation: " better than I, there is no
bell beneath the sky". Date: early l6th. century.
The 5th. inscribed : "Est mihi collatum I.H.S. istud
nomen amatum". The Greek capitals I.H.S. form the
first three letters of the Name JESUS. Hence this
is one of the so-called"Jesus Bells" and was
probably cast by Robert Norton at Exeter in the
reign of Henry VI (1422 - '61 and 1470-'71).
One of the bells at Dawlish Wake near Ilminster
is similarly inscribed but put in a slightly
different way: "I.H.S. est mihi collatum istud
nomen amatum". Translation : "Jesus the Saviour
of man: that blessed name is conferred upon me".
The 6th.(weight 8 cwt,) inscribed: "I sound to be id
the sicke repent
In hope of life .-when breath is spent.
Edmund Parsons. C.W. 1668. W. '.P. "
C.^. no doubt represents "Church harden".
W.P. probably stands for William Purdue
the Bell-founder whose name is inscribed on
the 4th. bell at Bradford-on-Tone cast in 1646
Bells 2 and 6 were rehung in 1868 and again in 1928 when nos,'2,3 & tenor were
recast.
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