2016

SO2459 : Organ, Church of St Stephen, Old Radnor

taken 8 years ago, near to Old Radnor, Powys, Wales

Organ, Church of St Stephen, Old Radnor
Organ, Church of St Stephen, Old Radnor
Openwork panel with fishes or dolphins.
Old Radnor Church organ

The timberwork of the organ dates from the early 16th century, and as such represents the oldest surviving organ case in the British Isles. It is notable for the variety and quality of the decoration, with pinnacles, sunbursts and a variety of animals and unidentified creatures. The case is not as originally built, the organ having been restored and rebuilt in 1872, as evidenced by a number of linen-fold panels being reinstalled horizontally instead of vertically.

Church of St Stephen, Old Radnor

The Cadw listing describes the church as 'One of the finest medieval churches in Wales'. The fabric is essentially 15th century, although some earlier work survives from the church sacked by Owen Glyndwr in 1401/2. There were subsequent 19th century restorations, that of 1882 including rebuilding of the east end of the chancel, although the east window may follow the original design. It is the only authentic dedication to St Stephen in Wales, although it is thought that this may be a Norman confusion of the Welsh St Ystyffan with St Stephen the Martyr. Despite being in Wales, the church comes within the Diocese of Hereford, indicative of the complex nature of the Marches.

The church consists of a continuous nave and chancel, with north and south aisles, west tower and south porch. The aisles extend as chapels alongside the chancel. The north aisle is slightly narrower of the two, the roof being a continuation of the nave roof. The south aisle has a separately ridged roof. There is an unusual unity of its Perpendicular style compared with other medieval churches due to the limited time-span of its construction.

The exterior of the church has no particular features to note, but the interior is different. A significant amount of late medieval timberwork remains. This includes the roofs to the nave and south aisle, contemporary with the building, the fine late 15th century chancel screen stretching the full width of the church, and the organ case, dating from the early 16th century and the earliest surviving organ case in the British Isles.

There are a number of fine monuments to the Lewis family of Harpton Court, and several other items of furnishings that are described with their pictures.

The church is Listed Grade I.


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Alan Murray-Rust and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Historic sites and artefacts Village, Rural settlement Religious sites Period: Early 16th Century other tags: Church Organ Wood Carving Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Organ in St Stephen [19] Title Clusters: · Organ, Church of St Stephen, Old Radnor [5] ·
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SO2459, 225 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Alan Murray-Rust   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Tuesday, 26 April, 2016   (more nearby)
Submitted
Monday, 2 May, 2016
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SO 2499 5909 [10m precision]
WGS84: 52:13.4931N 3:5.9730W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SO 2499 5909
View Direction
NORTH (about 0 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Supplemental image
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