St Olaf's Church, Bude, Medieval parish church in Poughill, Bude-Stratton, England.
St Olaf's Church is a stone parish church with a north aisle built from Caen stone and a granite chancel, both showing how medieval builders combined regional materials and traditional methods. The interior holds wooden bench-ends with carved scenes, while traces of ancient frescoes depicting Saint Christopher remain visible beneath later whitewash layers.
The church was founded around 1250 and developed through several centuries with various architectural additions and changes. The discovery of hidden frescoes beneath whitewash indicates that decoration methods shifted significantly over its long history.
The carved wooden bench-ends throughout the church show scenes from Christ's Passion, revealing how medieval parishioners engaged with religious storytelling through their church furnishings. This craftsmanship demonstrates the skill and devotion that ordinary people invested in their place of worship.
The church is open for visitors on a regular basis and welcomes people through the restored 1897 Lych Gate entrance at the churchyard boundary. The interior is straightforward to navigate, allowing you to explore the wooden carvings and see the different stone materials used throughout.
Six bells hang in the embattled tower and have rung across the surrounding countryside for centuries, marking daily time and community occasions. Royal Arms displayed above the vestry door serve as a reminder of the church's connection to the English crown during the reign of Charles II.
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