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St. Michael's church, Blackford. A new window
 A new east window was installed in St Michael's Church, Blackford, near Wincanton, in October 2001. It was commissioned from John Hayward, who designed Sherborne's new west window, and it is his 150th project. The new window replaces a Kemp window which, though it was produced only in 1882, had deteriorated so badly that it was no longer contributing to the simple beauty of the church. After 2 years of discussion with bodies like the Victorian Society, the Council for the Care of Churches and English Heritage, it was agreed that the project could proceed, and parishioners are delighted with this new work of art, installed to the glory of God, almost exactly 2000 years after the birth of Christ.
John Hayward says "The subject is The Good Shepherd, an ancient image sadly devalued in much 19th century glass. This seems an ideal setting for the subject with the enclosed chancel and small window which seems to call for something on an intimate or even "domestic" scale. The treatment results in something akin to a "jewel" in a setting. It uses aciding and stain, which is particularly effective on this smaller scale.
The window is set high in the East wall and does not easily link visually to the altar below and suggests a "self-contained" sort of treatment. I have shown a figure based on third century examples set in a "landscape" which runs through the three lights but has limits which isolate it from the East wall rather like an icon set in its own frame.
The subject will, no doubt, call three references to mind. The one that will probably come most readily - Psalm 23 - is of course pre-Christian. Perhaps the Gospel reference that seems most familiar is the parable of the Good Shepherd (John X vv11-16) but in early Christian art the Shepherd is more likely derived from the reference in Luke XV vv4-7 and to the finding of the one lost sheep in the hundred - "when he hath found it he layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing ...". There are probably elements of all three here, but the last provides the most attractive image."
This is thought to be the only "Christ the Good Shepherd" east window in England, though it is a more common theme in eastern Europe. That in itself would make it worth going to Blackford to see, but those who do make the journey will almost certainly find that it is rewarding in many other ways too.
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Church History
 The church had been standing for nearly 200 years when Lord Lovel came to the village and the nave, south doorway and font of that 12th Century building still survive. It may have been he who added the 14th Century tower. At some time, the base of a Saxon cross was brought to the church yard from elsewhere and placed alongside the pathway which leads to the South door.
In the late 13th and 14th Centuries the building was described as a chapel, dependent upon Maperton, which lies one and a half miles to the east. But in 1415 it was established as an independent church and the Seymour family successfully claimed the patronage by hereditary right against the rector of Maperton, and the advowson (the privilege of choosing the incumbent) descended with the Seymour estate.
The following notes on Blackford Church and Village are taken from A Guide to the Camelot Parishes.
The Doorway is Norman and has zig-zag carving on one column and on the underside of the arch itself, with spiral fluting on the other column.
Inside the porch a Scratch Dial can be seen, which suggests that the porch is a later addition. Also to be found in the porch are the remains of a Holy Water Stoup.
The Tower, Chancel Arch and Windows are perpendicular, but the rest of the church has been frequently renovated.
The Font is Norman and rests on a short pillar.
The Corbels under the tower arch depict unknown characters.
Graffiti can he seen in the church - at the west end, on the right of the arch (below the severe looking Tudor lady) is some writing and a sketch of a deer, and more can be found outside in the porch. So our ancestors also used this art-form.
The oak Pulpit is Jacobean. The Roof was renovated in 1839.
The Figures of St Michael and of Christ were found in their present damaged state when the rood-loft stairs were uncovered. The scale armour covering the figure of St Michael shows traces of gilding, and the flat backs of both figures may mean that they once formed part of an alabaster reredos.
The Screen and the Chancel Panelling are modern.
The North Chancel Window depicts shields which are reminders of some of the families (St Maur, Lovel and Erleigh) that once owned the Manor at Blackford.
A Memorial to Barnabe Dicke, a former Rector, is in the chancel, and is dated 1620.
A Window on the south side of the nave contains a representation of a chalice and host in yellow glass.
The Registers go back to 1692, and Churchwardens’ Accounts to 1685.
The Base of a Cross, reputedly Saxon, can be seen in the churchyard
Much more information may be found in the Blackford Book!
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Camelot Parishes
Blackford is one of the churches in the 'Camelot' Group of Parishes in the Diocese of Bath & Wells.
The Group is made up of:
Blackford: St. Michael's
Bratton St Maur: St Nicholas
Compton Pauncefoot: St. Mary's
Holton: St Nicholas
Maperton: St Peter & St Paul
North Cadbury: St Michael's
North Cheriton: St John Baptist
South Cadbury: St Thomas a Becket
Yarlington: St Mary the Virgin
The Parishes Magazine is 'Excalibur'
Contact: 01963 440432
office@camelotparishes.org.uk
See also: the Camelot website |
Services
Blackford Church services
SUNDAY SERVICES IN THE CAMELOT PARISHES
St Michael’s Blackford
1st Sunday: Rota of Camelot Churches*
2nd Sunday: 9.30am Morning Prayer (Matins)
3rd Sunday: Rota of Camelot Churches
4th Sunday: 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP)
5th Sunday: Rota of Camelot Churches
St Mary’s Compton Pauncefoot
1st Sunday: Rota of Camelot Churches*
2nd Sunday: Rota of Camelot Churches inc Blackford
3rd Sunday: 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP)
4th Sunday: 9.30am Matins
5th Sunday: Rota of Camelot Churches
*
see the Bath & Wells website for more contacts & more information
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