This is a return visit to St Blaise Milton, I last came here in 2011and only took a few photos of the church and inside. I thought I should come back and cover the church more and I am glad to say it was well worth the effort as there was so much I did not see last time. All the photos were taken with my iPhone. This week sees The Church Explorer 14 years old.
The Church of England parish church is dedicated to Saint Blaise as he is the patron saint of the wool trade, which was a major part of Milton's medieval economy. The church seems to have been built in the 14th century[2] but only the porch, the lower part of the bell tower and part of the nave including the west window survive from this time.[2] The upper part of the tower was rebuilt in the 18th century[2] and the nave, chancel and four-bay north aisle were rebuilt by the Gothic Revival architect Henry Woodyer in 1849–51.[6] Under the chancel arch is the Barrett family vault, in which the Roman Catholic bishop Richard Challoner (1691–1781) was buried[2] until 1946 when his remains were translated to Westminster Cathedral. The church is a Grade II* listed building.[9]
The tower has a ring of eight bells, all cast by Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 2001.[10] Previously there was a ring of six, four of which were cast in 1682. At least three of the 1682 bells were cast by Richard Keene,[2] who had foundries at Woodstock, Oxfordshire and Royston, Hertfordshire.[11] Another of the bells had been cast in 1787 and the tenor was cast by Mears and Stainbank of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 1906.[2] When the new bells were hung in 2001, five of the old bells were sold to St Michael and All Angels' parish church, Hackthorn, Lincolnshire.[12] One of Richard Keene's 1682 bells has been retained at St Blaise but is not used
Just outside the churchyard gate is the village war memorial
You go past it as you walk in
Inside a yew tree blocks most of the view of the church
From across the south side of the church
Looking over to the bell tower
Graffiti found on the tower
South west view using wide on the phone
Down the path bu the church looking up at the tower
West door and window
East end of the church
North west aspect
South east view over the churchyard
Along the churchyard path
Not sure if I noticed this last time, this looks to me to be a capital off a pillar no doubt from Abingdon Abbey and carved out to form a font. It is a bird bath now from the look of things
Churchyard near the church
East end looking to the north side of the church
North east corner near the vestry
Looking up west along the north side of the church
Half way along the church looking west
Large monument with a cross, I did not look to see who it belonged to
Near the footpath running by the church
Looking back east along the north side
West side of the monument looking east
Buy the fence looking towards a large chest tomb by the church, another I did not venture to look at
Back to the porch
Doorway in
The nave to the chancel arch
Chancel arch and altar
In the chancel
The new altar
East window with chandelier outlined in the frame
The chancel altar and east window
Altar and reredos behind, the altar has been moved forward from it
I take it that this mural is with the altar
Collage of the mural it looks like Pre Raphaelite artwork
East window looking up
Looking back through the church
Stone pulpit
West up the north aisle
East towards the altar
Small alter with icon picture, the screen is a partition to the vestry
The Madonna and Child picture
Some of the windows are glass with small medieval glass inserts in them
Closer view of the center three
Top ones showing faces
Another window with two inserts
Collage showing another four
Double stained glass window
Lancet showing St Blaise
This one is above the kitchen area partitioned off at the east end of the north aisle
This might be in the vestry
Modern day banner of St Blaise
Very impressive Royal coat of arms
These memorials can found in the vestry
along with this one
The Bowels memorial in the church
Roll of honour for the Bowels family members killed in WWI, I notice one was the godson of Cecil Rhodes
WWII roll of honour where they are related to the Bowels family
Mallam memorial
I looked this one up about HMS Natal it was an unfortunate accident
Partition off tower for the bell ringers
Old type church strong box for collections
Brass chandelier
Verses from the bible can be found on the wall of the chancel and in the vestry
Lectern which has a couple of kneelers at the base
There are more kneelers showing scenes from the bible
Lots of them
even upon a windowsill
Last look at the church from the door.
Till next time have a peaceful weekend
