St Mary-the-Less

The advowson of Chilbolton has been in the hands of the Bishops of Winchester since the manor itself was granted to the church by King Atheistan and the church existed at the time of Domesday.

The name “St Mary-the-less” is somewhat of a mystery and it is not really known to which St Mary the church is dedicated. Canon Marsh, one time Rector of Chilbolton, gives one possible explanation which lies in the fact that the church of St Mary the Virgin, Bath was, in the 11th and following centuries, responsible for the maintenance of the Benedictine Nunnery of Wherwell, until the dissolution of the monasteries. Chilbolton church was build in the 12th century close to the Wherwell Monastery and so was called St. Mary-the-less, the parent church of St Mary the Virgin being at Bath.

A more recent and perhaps more likely possibility is that when the Parish church in Andover had its dedication changed from St Peter to St Mary in the 14th Century, Chilbolton Church, being in the same deanery, had to step down and become St Mary-the-Less.

The Font		The interior of the church

Extensive alterations have been made over the ensuing years.
In 1842 the old bell tower which stood upon massive oak-tree props at the rear of the nave in front of the West window was taken down and rebuilt in its preseilt position. A gallery extending half way up the church was also removed “by which means the west window was made available for lighting and beautifying the Church”

In the 15th century the church had a ro loft, the stairway to which was still in place according to a survey iii 1908, this no longer stands at the north east angle of the nave, but the priests opening in the wall high above the pulpit is clearly seen.

The Nave
The nave dates from the 13th century, which is also the, date of the earliest recorded name of a Rector, that of Robert Bucknell who was inducted on 10th May 1284. The only
remaining detail of the 12th century is the single clerestory window set high in the south west wall, The north and south aisles were added in the 14th century

The Robbins memorial

West Window

This window, dedicated to the memory of Rev. A.L. Lambert, Rector 1848-1869, was, until 1893, in the position of the East Window of the chancel. It depicts scenes from Ilo1 Week with lights and tracery; the story is told, reading from the left:
Two women at the Crucifixion:The Crucifixion: Mary Magdalene with a Roman soldier: Washing of disciples feet:The Last Supper: The betrayal, Judas kissing Jesus.

Thomas Turtt obijt die anno dni Christ is to the life and deathe is to me an advantage for I know that my redeme lyvef

The Pulpit
A fine example of Elizabethan work, the guilloche ornamentation on the styles, and its projecting hook-board being especially noteworthy. The linen panelled base is modern. It is presumed that this was added when, in 1870, the position of the pulpit was altered originally, being where the lectern stands today. At the same time the old box pews were removed and open pews were established.
Above the pulpit is one curious 17th century ornament. A brass plate records tile death of one Thomas ‘Tutt, but the date of his death is missing!

THE CHILDRENS GIFT To the Glory of God and to the dear memory of Gertrude Adela de Courcy Pereira 1892

The Lectern
This was presented to the church in 1891 and was originally much taller, making it necessary for the reader to stand precariously on a small stool. The shortening of the lectern by two feet in the 1930’s did away with this gymnastic feat.

Memorial Niche
The Memorial Niche - actually one of the three piscinae - located at the south east end of the Nave, is dedicated for parishioners and friends to place flowers in memory of loved ones.

In the vault outside was deposited the Mortal Remains of HARRIET wife of John COYSCARNE SIM Esq of London and sister of Anthony L. Lambert Rector of this parish who departed this life April 16th 1851 aged 57. Also of Mary Elizabeth SIDNEY, who was called to her rest in her 81st year. June 27th 1851. Also of Anthony LAMBERT scholar of Kings College Cambridge, Grandson of the above, and son of the aforesaid Anthony L. LAMBERT. Also of Richard Stuart PALMER of ????? and son in law of the Revd A.L Lambert, who died at Bournemouth Oct 18th 1862 aged 41. Also of Mary Henrietta wife of the Revd A.L.LAMBERT an example of suffering affliction and of patience. She entered into her rest Jan 22nd 1867 in her 60th year Luke ? 42 Also of Anthony Lewis LAMBERT, M.A.Trin Coll Oxon for 21 years rector of this parish. and Rural Dean who finished his course March 21st 1862, aged 65. "There remaineth a rest to the people of God". Herbrews iv, 9.

THE CIIILBOLTON MILLENNIUM
SCULPTURE
A Celebration of 2000 Years of Christianity

The picture on the left shows the sculpture apparently floating above the Chancery in fact it is suspended on thin nylon line. When the light is turned on two other images appear showing the sculpture from the side view as in the picture on the right. The overall effect is stunning with the figure floating and the two hologram images showing the figure from each side, appearing on the ceiling as if by magic

As you gaze on the sheer beauty of our millennium sculpture, especially the seemingly floating Christ revealed as stunning holograms by beams of light. Pause for a moment to reflect upon 2000 years of Christianity.
For in essence that is the purpose of our millennium celebrations.
St Mary-the-less was built in the 12th century, close to the Benedictine nunnery of Wherwell and our sculpture serves the dual purpose of celebrating, both the birth of Christianity and the early existence of a church in our quiet. and pleasant village in the beautiful Test Valley. In fact a church has existed ii Chilbolton since the time of Domesday.
Similarly the right of recommending a member of the clergy for the vacant benefice has been in the hands of the Bishops of Winchester since the manor was granted to the church by King Athleston.
Over the centuries villagers have gathered here for many reasons, not least to find peace in a world which seems to get busier as each year passes.
How To Celebrate?
The question of how our Church should celebrate the millennium was first mooted in I996, and the idea of a sculpture was arrived at following much debate.
The Rector of St. Mary-the-less, the Reverend Errol Williams, explains:
“I had always felt that the void over the Chancel, which had the essence of a cyclorama screen — you could not focus your eye on it — was crying out for something to take advantage of that particular ‘space’. But what?”
As the debate widened the Parochial Church Council agreed that:-

Many ideas were discussed, some in detail — a glass cross over the chance!, Church refurbishment, a stone scat in the grounds around the Church, to name just a few.
Eventually the idea of a sculpture to fill the ‘space’ over the Chance! emerged as the favourite.

The Artist — David Begbie
Before further progress could be made by the PCC, two important questions
had to be answered: “Who to commission?” - “How to proceed?”
Thankfully, help was at hand in the presence of Canon Keith Walker, the art expert from Winchester Cathedral. he had no hesitation in recommending David Begbie, who as well as being world famous also had local connections, having spent some of his early years at Sandy Down just outside Stockbridge. It also transpired that David had always been keen to have an example of his work in the area. As his medium was wire mesh, whatever he designed would be in that materil and would certainly be contemporary.
David Begbie visited Chilbolton and to put it into his own words: ”l immediately fell in love with the location and was keen to produce something which would enhance the chance! and fill that ‘space’. We talked together about a bare cross and about the figure of a risen Christ— as ideas began to form one timing became very clear, we were all against a crucifix Figure”.

The Sculpture is Designed
Pondering on his own ideas and those of the PCC, David worked up a maquette — a prototype model — which was temporarily installed for all to view. Whilst the general approach met with approval there were concerns that the mode! was too cruciform. Too Good Friday -not enough Easter Day! And so back to the drawing board to remodel the Figure with upraised arms to make it more embracing — more Easter Day.

Raising the Money
Having agreed the final model, talk turned to cost. It had always been recognised that the price David’s work commanded around the world would present our small village Church with a problem. The question now facing the PCC was whether it would be financially viable to continue to pursue the project?
However, David was one step ahead of the PCC, appreciated the problem and agreed to work to a figure which was far below the real price. As he commented:
“My desire to have a figure in that ‘space’ in your Church was as great as yours”.
We are grateful to him, for without his generosity the Millennium Sculpture would never have graced St. Mary-the- less.
But how was the money to be raised?
The answer came from a member of the
PCC, Lawrence Wild, who agreed to produce a history book of Christianity covering 2000 years, with each page sponsored to the tune of £100. Aided and abetted by the Reverend Piers Warburton, Mike Ost and Jennie Souter, 20 pages were written and sponsored and the project paid for. A master copy resides in the Church and paperback versions are available at £10 each. A special table for our very own Millennium Book was designed and made by Alan French, funded anonymously by a member of time PCC.
With funds guaranteed David Begbie was able to complete his work and prepare for it to be displayed in all its glory in that ‘space’ over the chancel.

Displayed In All Its Beauty
Between Christmas 1999 and New Year’s Eve the sculpture was suspended on thin “fishing line”. All were ecstatic by the way it hung, or indeed flew, over the chancel.
Indeed many people still cannot really decide whether it is there at all, or whether it is a charcoal drawing on the ceiling!
“A truly spiritual figure which inspires everyone who gazes upon it”
A spiritual experience enhanced greatly by the lighting system installed and sponsored by Mike Keys the spot lights producing stunning images and shadows on the ceiling. Such magic that those who see it illuminated for the first time, truly believe that there are two paintings on the ceiling — with an
Illuminated figure suspended below them! A dimension to his work that delighted David Begbie.

New Year’s Eve
And so on New Year’s Eve the dream came to fruition as Geoffrey, the Bishop of Basingstoke led a torchlight procession to the Church. Illuminated only by the warm glow of the heaters the congregation could only just make out a dim impression of the sculpture in the dark void over the chancel. The ‘space’ that Errol Williams had been so keen to utilise.
As the Bishop turned to bless the sculpture the spotlights were turned on in public for the first time.
St. Mary-the-less was overwhelmed by a palpable silence.
Afterwards many parishioners sat in awe and continued to wonder as they gated at their “Millemmniumu Sculpture’’. As we march forward into the next millennium it is opportune to contemplate on the faith it represents —- a faith that has been rooted firmly in Chilbolton for many centuries,

A Final Word
Let us leave the final word to one of the parishioners who was present on that New Year’s Eve. Choir Mistress, Sue Batchelor, was so inspired by the whole experience that she captured those moving moments in verse.

NEW YEAR REVELATION
(by Sue Bachelor)
A dark and almost silent throng,
some hundred strong,
moves inexorably on
down through the village. ASevern Bore of mixed humanity Bishop-led
.and churchward bound,
absorbing those of us who wait
at garden gate.
The church, rose—lit,
with warm, inviting glow.
Anticipation palpable,
the people wait, pew-packed. Furtive glances
descry nothing new.
Quiet puzzlement ensues. The l3isliop says a prayer.
a blessing gives.
Two beams of radiant light
reveal, at first,
a hologram
ethereal Christ,
crowned with thorns.
touchingly young and taut.
marvellously wrought,
seemingly floating
above us all.
A winged Saviour.
Risen Lord.
Two further images appear Da Vinci sketches
etched on walls above.
The tiny world
of that old church
in solemn stillness lies,
then welcomes in
the new Triumvirate.