The Sheela on Kilpeck Church near Hereford is probably the most famous sheela image. The image has an undeniable celtic feel to it.A head similar to the the sheela can found on the other side of the church (see below). The sheela is not above a door like the sheelas in Tugford Holdgate and Church Stretton but it does lie adjacent to one. Of all the sheela images this is the one that is most copied.
The name Kilpeck is derived from Kil or Cell and the name of the saint Pedic or Pedoric. The church is dedicated to the St Mary and St David. This St David is not the patron saint of Wales but another local St David. The church at Kilpeck is quite fascinating in it's own right. The ornately carved door contains elements of Celtic, Saxon and even Scandinavian (Viking) art. It is built on a seven sided or egg shaped mound which would seem to indicate the site was used in antiquity. The church is ornately carved with no less than 89 corbels the Sheela above is the 28th corbel on the south side of the church. Some of the corbels have been removed this supposedly due to a Victorian lady who objected to their subject matter if this is true, why the Sheela remained is something of a mystery. One explanation may be that the carving has been described as fool opening his heart to the devil. Other corbels, pictured below, are quite curious and often comical see the dog & hare. Several of the head depict monsters who appear with human heads in their mouths. All in all Kilpeck church is absolutely fascinating and well worth a visit.
