St. Andrew, West Stafford, Dorset

Description

The parish church of St. Andrew is a building of stone, consisting of chancel, nave, north porch and a small embattled western tower containing 3 bells: on the north side of the chancel is a tomb with recumbent effigy to the late Rev. Canon Reginald Southwell Smith M.A. rector here 1836-96. The pulpit, screen and altar rail are Jacobean, the chandelier is Georgian: over the porch is the date 1645, in which year it was rebuilt: the church was thoroughly restored and the chancel enlarged in 1897-8: there are 150 sittings.

Church Records

The parish register dates from the year 1558. The original register books are now deposited with the Dorset Archives Service, but have been digitised by Ancestry.co.uk and made available on their site (subscription required).