I originally published this blog back in 2013 and at the time decided I would revisit the church a week or so I did so in this update you will find some old photos mixed in with some of the new ones I took
Wantage sits by the Berkshire Downs (now it is in Oxfordshire) and was once a prominent market town, they still have a market there every ween as you can see in the photo below taken back in 2013. The church itself dominates the town which is famous for King Alfred the Great who in legend burnt the cakes . His statue stands facing the church in the market square (well he was born in the town) he also used to have the odd bit of underwear hung on him after school end of term party's. The town it's self is quiet with many historical ties and has a small museum you can visit along with various coffee shops and tea houses or if you like the pubs. Wantage also was a spur for the old Wilts & Berks canal and much trade was done that way till it closed in the 19th century because of the Railway but even now the town does not have a nearby station. From Wantage you can visit much of the surrounding countryside & towns and lucky on both the days I visited it was sunny.
King Alfred the Great
Looking towards the market square
The chancel end of the church which was having some renovation done at
the time this has now been removed
And a gargoyle watching the proceedings
This is the church today
Gargoyles to pour rainwater on some unsuspecting person
The churchyard
Some of the older headstones in the churchyard.
The north side of the church
Where you can find some interesting history
and what looks like a memorial plaque
Towsey Memorial on the South Wall
Going inside the church you are greeted by this view towards the organ
When the church was reordered about ten years ago the organ was restored and moved to the back with the loss of the view to some of the stained glass
Mind you there are some beautiful candelabras in the church
The altar in the centre of the tower and looking through towards the Chancel taken back in 2013
I had to adjust the color on this view looking to the chancel as it was very dark
The Cancel in St Peter & St Paul
The Altar and Chancel Window
Chapel with some superb stained glass windows, taken in 2013
This is the chapel when I visited in
The Ormond Family Memorials in the chapel, the and the Mothers Union Banner
Choir stalls and rood screens
Arches and stained glass
Tomb effigies to Sir William Fizwaryn I think the tomb was covered with an arch at one time but some has been destroyed
The coat of arms of Sir William
There are some interesting memorials on the wall as well.
The font with font cover and the memorial near by
memorial to a Hopeful young Gentleman
The war memorial at the back of the north aisle
You can see some great stained glass in the church
The window at the end of the North aisle
The South Aisle on the left and North on the right
The Stamp family Memorial and the rater nice Pulpit
One of the floral displays in the church
couple of the very nice church brasses now on the walls
The rood screen leading to the chapel
Floral arrangement by the Madonna & child statue
The War memorial near St Peter & St Paul
I will leave you week with a view of the sun reflecting through the glass which I took in 2013 which for some reason I could not recreate this time .
Have a wonderful Sunday
Have a wonderful Sunday
