Chale: St Andrew

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St Andrew’s, Chale, was dedicated by the Bishop of Winchester in 1114.  The church was built by Hugo de Vernon, Lord of the Manor of Chale, and its patronage has been held by Langford, Pounds, Worsleys and now by Keble College, Oxford.  Over the years the building was extended and the fine perpendicular tower, with its quatrefoil panels at the base of the western buttresses, was built in the 15th century.  It is said to be the earliest square-roofed perpendicular tower on the Island. It has two rows of fine pierced ornaments and unusual traceried windows in the belfry, unfortunately cut by the modern clock faces.

There is a peal of six bells in the tower.  Five of them were hung by John Taylor & Co. in 1897, the treble being cast and hung in 1946.  The oldest bell is the 3rd and thought to have been cast in the 14th century by the anonymous "R".  The tenor bell is dated 1628 but was recast in 1896, the same year that the 2nd bell was cast.  The 4th and 5th bells were also recast by John Taylor & Co.

Every window in the church is a stained glass window, and at the same time, a memorial.  Six of the windows were made by Charles E. Kempe, a renowned Victorian stained glass designer and manufacturer.  His windows were regarded as the best, and one of his 'trademarks' was that of peacock feathers used to show the angels' wings.

The church is now within the benefice of Niton, Whitwell and St Lawrence.

Church Place
Chale
Ventnor
PO38 2HA

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