There has been a church on this site since the early part of the 12th Century though it first mentioned that a chapel was here in 1220-1227. In 1508 4 shillings & eight Pence were left to the church by John Cockles (that's about 25pence in today's money) and in 1547 Thomas Benet left 3shillings & four pence. Back then that was a lot of money. It shows the church had benefactors. In 1846 most of the medieval church was demolished and the current church was built on its foundations. It was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the Gothic Revival stile and the building retains the west wall of the original church, which includes a 13th-century Early English Gothic lancet window, and the timber frame of the bellcote. St John the Baptist is now part of the Benefice of Cholsey and Moulsford.
The church is not large in compared to others in the area
but is typical being flint faced
it's also not far from the river Thames which could explain why there was not one here before the 12 century as Danes would have raided it after seeing it from their boats going upstream
The west end showing the Bellcote
The new part of the churchyard with recent graves
The older part
with some interesting looking cast ones
the names seem to have long gone
though this one has an outline
The odd tomb
lichen covered headstones
more of the churchyard which has been cleared
some tombs covered in moss
I really like the cross here on the left, the one on the right is getting lost to moss growing on it
which is damaging the words
these two belong to Arthur Edwards and his Sister. Arthur was vicar of Kintbury
Looking up the more recent part of the churchyard
The new part of the churchyard with recent graves
The older part
with some interesting looking cast ones
the names seem to have long gone
though this one has an outline
The odd tomb
lichen covered headstones
more of the churchyard which has been cleared
some tombs covered in moss
I really like the cross here on the left, the one on the right is getting lost to moss growing on it
which is damaging the words
these two belong to Arthur Edwards and his Sister. Arthur was vicar of Kintbury
Looking up the more recent part of the churchyard
The grave on the right is that of Frank Abbots who used to work in the Boilerhouse at Fairmile
Like to know how old these two are
I thought these were tomb slabs but realised they were headstones laid down, the far two must have stood really tall
I have visited the church in the past but since my last time here some things have changed, the two doors at the back were the fist thing I noticed
These tow memorials were here and framed by the
original bellcote frame for the tower
Some nice work as usual by the local WI and a rather nice stained glass window
The place names Great & Little Runsford do not exist now though there is a place named Runsford Hole along the Thames nearby.
The place now known as Runsford Hole in Streatley was originally Runsford, misspelled sunesforda in an early charter relating to property in 895 but surviving in a copy from the 12th century, but then as Runeford 1250-60, Runesford 1338, along with other spellings. This plaque confirms that it was a more important place once, because it records the Great and Little distinction
The place now known as Runsford Hole in Streatley was originally Runsford, misspelled sunesforda in an early charter relating to property in 895 but surviving in a copy from the 12th century, but then as Runeford 1250-60, Runesford 1338, along with other spellings. This plaque confirms that it was a more important place once, because it records the Great and Little distinction
Some photos of the church which I must admit I had a terrible time trying to capture, this is looking down the nave from near the font
From the center of the church you look back for this view where you can see the timber frame of the bellcote
looking over to the side and the North Aisle, this has changed since the last time I came here
No doubt when the church was built they made room for the organ as it sits nice in this arch
The Chancel area with the altar and Stained Glass window
Which I have to say is very nice and must look good when the sun sines through in the morning
There are a some nice memorials in the church
along with the Roll of Honor
This is one of the most impressive bequests I have seen yet
Memorial to one of the former vicars
Mother Father & Daughter, if you look at the skulls in the top two you can see they Face each other
The North Aisle has some nice stained glass
and at one end features a kitchen now, the cupboards were made by reusing some of the wood in the old aisle
Looking the other way towards the organ, the door to the side take you to a restroom
A nice carved lectern and pulpit
grace one side
while the other has a carved pew
Someone went to a lot of trouble in this work, the detail is superb
Floral displays are always worth looking at in a church
Crucifix on a staff and a view of the ceiling in the chancel area
Here we look back down the nave from the Altar
and a view from the Pulpit.
That normally would have been it for this week but the next day was sunny so I went back and got thses few shots
The West end Lancet window and the sun shining through another
the church looking at he original west end wall with the window, the cross is a memorial of a former Vicar
But I'll leave you with the Lancet window with the sun shining through,
Have a peaceful Sunday
13 comments:
It looks a lot more interesting inside than I would have expected.( I don'tknow why I am so often surprised at this kind of thing. You really can't tell! )
i love the fencing. it ALL has such character. very very cool!! ( :
Bill, You always find such wonderful stone churches. The stones in the graveyard are so interesting. Tom The Backroads Traveller
What a quaint little church! It's amazing that it has endured for so long.
It's a beautiful church. There are many meaningful features such as the memorials and stained glass windows with much artistry in the woodwork, floor tiles and stonework.
Look at those carving on the lectern and the pews...very impressive. The memorials inside the church are interesting, especially the ones on the floor.
Another beauty
Church was designed by George Gilbert Scott. Is there any information about the designer and/or maker of the chancel/east rood window?
If you mean the Large Chancel window in the east wall I could not tell you though I found out it is supposed to be a copy of the original East window.
I was baptised here in 1959 and my Mother, Mary Green’s Remains have rested in the Churchyard since 1975. The memorial cross was constructed by Mr Stanley Simmons aided by my Father, Les Green, in 1969 and is in memory of Rev Guy Swinnerton, a truly Godly man.
I was a choir boy here from 1968 until about 1974.
Chris Green
Ah your local or at least were, Used to hang around with a lad called Jake Parks and another one called Clark from the village years ago.
I was a choirboy (with Chris above) at St John the Baptist in the 1960/70s. The carving of the lectern, pulpit and litany desk was by the Pinwill sisters of Plymouth who were the foremost female carvers in the late 19th century. They are very special indeed and extremely important. http://pinwillsisters.org.uk/the-catalogue/churches-elsewhere/berkshire-moulsford-st-john-the-baptist/
Another local then, I wonder if we ever crossed paths/ The carvings as quite special indeed. I will go back and get another photos of them sometime and update the Blog
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