Architectural Features
C15, restored 1868 by G.E. Street, painting of interior by Rev. W. Wiggin and Clayton and Bell c1871.
The tower arch with the organ of 1874, replacing an earlier one. The Anglican parish church of St. George was built in the 12th century, partially rebuilt and the tower added in the 15th century, and restored in 1868. Constructed partly of limestone rubble, partly of squared, dressed and coursed limestone, all under a stone slate roof. The interior was painted by the Rev. Wiggin and the firm of Clayton and Bell circa 1871. Much of the nave and chancel walls are stencilled in purple rectangles to look like stonework, with foliage decorations around door and window openings. Listed, grade I, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1341104
C12 chancel with clasping buttresses at east end and buttressed side walls.
Two-light hollow-moulded stone-mullioned window with cinquefoil- headed lights, carved spandrels within deep surround with hollow and casement mouldings, stopped hood with scrolled stops.
Small round-headed C12 window in east gable end.
2-light hollow-moulded stone-mullioned casement with carved spandrels, cinquefoil headed lights and deep surround with hollow and casement mouldings.
North wall of nave C12 with later flat-chamfered plinth.
C19 plank door with decorative strap hinges, C19-early C20 surround with C12 diapered tympanum.
Battlemented parapet with string below with carved head gargoyles placed centrally.
Additional gargoyles in the form of torsos incorporated in the third stage on the north and south sides.
C15 porch
Each quarter of quadripartite sanctuary vault contains a painted seated figure (probably the four evangelists).
The vaulted roof of the chancel is a fine example of Norman work. It is divided into four parts by the vaulting ribs, and each section has a seated figure, probably representing the Four Evangelists. The Anglican parish church of St. George was built in the 12th century, partially rebuilt and the tower added in the 15th century, and restored in 1868. Constructed partly of limestone rubble, partly of squared, dressed and coursed limestone, all under a stone slate roof. The interior was painted by the Rev. Wiggin and the firm of Clayton and Bell circa 1871. Much of the nave and chancel walls are stencilled in purple rectangles to look like stonework, with foliage decorations around door and window openings. Listed, grade I, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1341104
C12 choir arch with plain inner arch, roll- moulded outer arch with chevron and star mouldings forming outer surround.
Jamb shafts to outer order with charming carvings of pairs of doves on each capital.
C12 quadripartite ribbed vault within sanctuary rising from low corbels with stiff stalk capitals (showing the transition to Early English).
Red tile floor to nave some decorative encaustic tiling in nave and sanctuary.
Round-headed surround to C12 north door.
Rebated Tudor-arched doorway to stairs to former rood loft in south wall.
Flat-chamfered Tudor-arched access to former rood loft high up in wall above.
Octagonal, Perpendicular font with quatrefoil decoration on each face, inside south door.
C19 stained glass in east and north windows of sancutary, in north window of choir, in one window on south wall of nave and in nave west window.
An angel painted on the chancel roof. The Norman church is about a mile from Northleach. The church dates to about 1125, with a 15th-century tower and south porch. Prior to the 18th century, the church was dedicated to St Matthew, but this changed to St George around 1743. The chancel is almost entirely original 12th-century work. In 1871 the vicar of Hampnett, Rev. William Wiggin, painted the chancel, sanctuary, and nave windows in an ornate pattern of mock-medieval stencilling. Though Wiggin later claimed to have done all the painting himself, he may have been trying to claim credit for work done by the famous glass-making firm of Clayton & Bell, from Bristol. Wiggins' parishioners were unimpressed by his efforts to 'improve' their church. They tried to raise money to have the paintings removed or covered with whitewash. But they could not raise enough money, and so the stencilling stayed.