St Nicholas

chancel on and near C13 foundations.

South aisle added c 1500.

North porch, c 1500.

West tower has set-back buttresses, 3 stages, embattled parapet with gargoyles, C18 pinnacles and panelled pedestals at the top of the buttresses.

West doorway has top member of the plinth carried over as label, the arch has carved paterae.

The south aisle has diagonal corner buttresses, and two heavy buttresses, added in C17.

Embattled parapet has panelled bases for pinnacles and large gargoyles at the angles.

The middle merlon has a Cl7 carved mitre from elsewhere.

Porch roof, late C15, 2 bays, moulded principal, ridge and purlins.

Fittings: Fonts: crudely cut circular bowl, with moulded reeded band, and lower edge, polygonal stem and chamfered base, c C12.

Loose in nave, plain octagonal bowl, C15.

Monuments: in chancel, very fine assembly of wall- monuments to Smith family, mid C18 to mid C19, on north and south walls. (RCHM) Wall monuments in nave and south aisle.

For Brackets, Niches, Chests, Glass, Hatchments, Panelling, Screen, see: (RCHM Dorset I, p231(1). "Excavations in the Nave of the Parish Church of Sydling St Nicholas, Dorset," A H Graham, in Procs.