St Andrew
WellinghamAbout the Church of St Andrew, Wellingham
There is no precise date for the founding of St Andrew’s Church, but the experts believe that the nave was built by the Normans and the chancel was added in the 13th century. Lancet windows indicate the early 13th century and there are attractive mixtures of ashlar and brick mixed with the prevailing flint in the walls. Here and there one can see the ghosts of earlier doors and windows.
The first firm date in St Andrew’s history is 1304, when its first rector is recorded. Blomefield calls him William de Holm, but Bryant gives him the grander title Ralph de Hulmo de Wysinguete.
The Screen
The screen al Wellingham has been cut down to its dado, but there is still plenty to see. The screen is inscribed with the date 1532, just two years before the dissolution of the monasteries began and it was the gift of Robert Dorant and his wives.
The screen is unusual in that it combines depictions of saints with narrative scenes. To the north side of the door there is a blank panel followed by a St Sebastian. He is paired with St Oswald who is shown treading on the heathen king Penda. Next is a depiction of St George and the dragon set in a lush green landscape. The princess and her lamb can be seen, as can a nest of young dragons in the foreground. Strange birds race across the sky above the scene, while onlookers view the contest from the nearby castle.
To the south side, the first panel contains the archangel Michael weighing souls, set in landscape which mirrors that of the George and dragon scene. Adjacent to this is a fascinating half-scene: A Pielà, or Pity to use the English term. In this panel, Christ is shown as the Man of Sorrows, along with the instruments of His Passion. This would have acted as the altarpiece of a small nave altar. At the same time it would have recalled the legend of St Gregory, to whom a vision of Christ as the Man of Sorrows appeared as he celebrated the most sacred moment of the liturgy. The final panel is badly damaged, although it is still possible to make out the leg of a saintly figure, probably wearing armour.
