Return to West Hendred

I have been wanting to return to this church for a long time and finally I managed to return to get some photo's of the inside. Last time I was teased with a glimpse through the window while a service was happening on a Sunday.

The Holy Trinity church is a 13th-century building on the site of a former wooden Saxon church, with small flying buttresses and a series of carved sundials on the wall outside. The most notable historical element of the church is the floor tiling. These are good examples, if worn, of medieval tiles. (Taken from Wikipedia)
I must admit I have not noticed the sundials on eiter of my visits but will look when I get a chance

The place has changed little since I was here last but this time the weather is better.

The churchyard is like it was though I did notice this head & footstone which were unusual

Near the church is this tomb which is becoming a little covered in grass

Looking ahead you see the church porch which is quite original.

That's because some one carved a date in it

And WC did it 100 years later in 1761, mind you I do wonder if it was the same person who got the date wrong.

The Door beckoned would it be open. 

Some how I think it was

Go through the door and this is the view of the church you get.

Walking to the centre of the aisle  gives view of the nave

Stand in the belltower and see the North and South aisles as well

Off in the North aisle you can see the church organ at one end almost hidden turn round and you see the arch leading to the bell tower

Look down and you will see the tomb of Margaret Parkes who was the daughter of John & Margaret Pope who lived in Ginge 1747 you can see the medieval tiles on the floor as well

Looking up to the ceiling you will see a roof joist dated 1746

The Cancel from the nave

Here we look at the altar in the chancel

The altar is left unadorned with just a cross in the sill of the chancel window

The window if you looks seems to have odd bits of original stained glass in it

But there is other stained glass to see in the chancel which is not so old

The north Aisle also has some partial stained glass

Which is a shame as it makes me wonder why this is.

Walking along  the chancel you will see  various memorials on the floor like John Baker vicar of the parish died in 1790

This one says H.S.E Rob Bolton A.M  C.C.C Oxon Soc.
Octob: die 19 1699













Rev John Spry departed this life October ninth 1703 age 76. a good age for some one of that time

In Memory od Dulcibella y wife of M Richard Tub od Welt Hendred who died y 22 march 1719 age 49 years

The on eon the left is by the altar and is to Mary wife of Thomas Wighr who was the vicar. She died aged 81 on 1721.
On the Right you can see the wonderful times and the memorialslet in the  medieval tiles

This is the roll of honour for the fallen in the First World War and is in the panelling round the altar

View through the chancel to the nave

By the altar you can see this small icon of the Madonna an child, the carved Pentecostal candle holder and candle is by the choir stall

The aisle floor of medieval floor tiles looking to the back of the church

The nave from beside the pulpit

This is a carved choir stall  get a load of the date on top. Initialed 1630 I P  T S
I wonder who they were

to the right is the carved pulpit maybe of a similar age?

This is the view of the nave you get 

and for one a nice view of the North aisle

Google was good enough to stitch them together

The memorial you can see is to Shoeing Smith George Aruthur Alder who dies in South Africa 1900

The North aisle I'm affraid the one I took in the south did not come out well

By the window in the North aisle is the Bible dated 1864

The carving on the front of the pews in the church

The on ething I did get in the South aisle was the font and cover

but a couple of people had done their graffiti on the cover R W in 1697 and X in 1833 is nothing sacred

Just in the chanel the nativity scene was still there, must take it down after the Epiphany

At the back of the church in the tower window is this wonderfull olf commoration plaque with a few local names I recognise

On the arch as you come is you will see this beautiful hand written and framed roll showing who served in 1914 -1918.

With a last look at the church I'll say I hope you enjoyed your look round the church as much as I did returning to see it.

Have a Peaceful Weekend