arch

...I first mentioned our local area's connections to the Bond family and, more specifically, Holme Priory, back in November 2012, and added blips of the present family home and old family seat later.

When Holme Priory was demolished, parts, including a 12th century archway from the priory church, were incorporated by Denis Bond into the chapel that he had built in the grounds of his estate of Creech Grange. Work was started on the chapel, which was dedicated to St John the Evangelist, in 1746 but he died before it was finished. For the next hundred years, it stood as a small tower, nave and sanctuary but was only used as a workshop. In 1840, John Bond, recommenced work on the church, but he, too, never saw it completed as he passed away in 1844. In 1849, John's brother, the Rev. Nathaniel Bond, rebuilt the nave, changed the tower for the present Italianate styled one, and added the north transept. The chancel, vestry and organ chamber were added in 1868.

In 1983, the church became redundant and is now, unfortunately, deemed unsafe.

I have not been feeling too well these last few days but, hopefully, I will be able to add a little more to this story with tomorrow's blip...