All Saints Marcham

I visited the church when I was out with some friends looking at WW2 pillboxes in the area . The church was open at the time so I quickly popped in for a look. Some history  from Wikipedia
"The oldest parts of the Church of England Parish Church of All Saints are 13th-century, including the west tower and probably the font. The south doorway is Perpendicular Gothic from either the late 14th or early 15th century. Also Perpendicular are the timber roof of the nave and the 15th-century doorway to the west tower. The church was heavily rebuilt in 1837. It is a Grade II* listed building.
The tower has a ring of six bells. James Wells of Aldbourne, Wiltshire cast the second, fourth, fifth and tenor bells in 1816. Charles and George Mears of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry cast the treble bell in 1855. The Whitechapel Bell Foundry also cast or recast the third bell in 1988". I might add the second photo is used in the Wikipedia  article on Marcham

Above the path leading to the church from the main gate and on the right another from the side gate

The tower is square and not as high as other churches I have visited

On the left the north side of the tower with the external staircase enclosure and right the porch

Above the entrance a statue of |I presume Christ

View looking towards a double arch and the altar. I have never seen this type of confederation before
normally it is a chancel arch and aisle to one side of other.. The church has also been re-odered

The pulpit over on the right I'm not sure on the age but  the font here on the right is thought to be 13th century

I found the screened off areas where the chapels were locked but managed to get some photos of the stained glass

Looking back through the church to the west end and the organ loft

the church did have some interesting old brasses on the walls

that has been saved off the floor tombs and mounted

Outside the churchyard is old with most of the headstones covered in lichen

Further along a nearby footpath is an extension  with more graves in

above this stunning tomb is near the church, while the graves on the right in the extension

This Celtic stilled headstone stood out

The carvings on it were wonderful. on the right an angel near the enterance

The same angel taken on a different day. If you are in Marcham it is worth having a look round the church and churchyard I only stopped off briefly on my visit.

Have a wonderful weekend

Tidmash St Laurence

I though as were were in this area for the last few blogs I'd bring this one of  St Laurence in as it was taken a few years ago as well. On the time of my visit the church was having a service so is on the cards fro a revisit.
St Laurenece is part of of the Pangbourne Churches group much-rebuilt 12th Century church is dedicated to St Laurence. The Norman doorway of the church of the date of its construction is particularly noted in its listing as is a "very rare 13th century polygonal apse". It includes 13th century lancet windows to left and right

Above the view of the church as you walk past to the entrance

Above the west end and on the left the North side of the church with the bellcote on the West end

Further around towards the West end

Looking up to the Chancel cross

View along towards the porch, and right the weather vane on top the Bellcote

Above the entrance porch which I did not realise at the time was Norman. On the left the churchyard looking a little jaded in the winter

Around the North side of the church is this part you can see

More older headstone on the wall side of the path coming from the road

Above an unusual cross with lilly s entwined round it

My favourite find of the day was this angel

And I will leave you with this view of another unusual cross.

Hopefully I will return now I know where I can park my car and bring some views of the inside.

Have a Peaceful Weekend.

St Mary the Virgin Whitchurch

I visited this church back in 2009 after I visited the church in Pangbourne (St James the Less) as it is only across the river . St Mary sits a little off the River Thames near the Thames Path. You can see the spire as you walk over Christchurch Bridge one of two remaining Toll Bridges on the Thames. The church dates back to Saxon Times The history here comes from Wikipedia "The Church of England parish church of Saint Mary was originally Norman, and was altered in the 15th century. In 1858 the Gothic Revival architect Henry Woodyer completely rebuilt the church, retaining only the Norman south door, Perpendicular Gothic south porch and a few other items. The parish is now a member of the Langtree Team Ministry: a Church of England benefice that includes also the parishes of Checkendon, Ipsden, North Stoke, Stoke Row and Woodcote"  You can read a more in-depth history on the Langtree  Mistry Website 
So far I have visited three of their churches and will visit the rest in due course.

Walking across Whitchurch Bridge you cannot help notice the church spire. My first view of the church was when I came in the back entrance

Walking around to the North Side

Th eporch on the south side

The small spire on the left and the right a tomb near the porch

View from the south side look to the spire

Above the vestry on the church and on the left the chancel end and North aisle

A very uncluttered North side of the church

A couple of views of the Lych gate which would probably look a lot nicer with some of the growth cut back bu then this was 7 years ago so may have changed a bit now

Above the porch leading to the church

Either side of the porch are these headstops which are a bit weather worn now

Above the doorway is this carving of Christ on the cross which looks a little newer

The entrance doorway is Norman the porch protects it now, above is this carving

You will have to forgive my internal photos I was using a compact rather than DSLR like I do now. Above the chancel and choir stalls

Above the chancel arch

The two photos above show the chancel window and the ceiling

Looking towards the back of the church and the structure supporting the belltower & spire

The other way looking towards the altar

One of the stained glass windows which might be at the back of the nave

The nave windows and memorials on it

Above the church font while to the left is the North aisle

This magnificent memorial is in the chancel

The tomb in the nave floor stands out along the Aisle 

The South wall is littered with memorials around the doorway

Above the church brasses you see were saved and placed on display either side of the chancel arch

You can see a lot of wonderful stained glass in the church

In fact most of the windows were of stained glass

I'm unable to place this stained glass window

The window on the left is the Chancel window, to the right a lancet window

Above on e of the North aisle windows while on the left is a mural below one in the South

The Choir stalls by the Organ

On the South side of the Chancel

The North Aisle with the screened off organ

More memorials which are on the South wall of the nave

All the memorials I notice are in good condition and easy to read 

Above the magnificent tomb near the porch. On the right an overgrown part hiding many graves 

Above cross growing in the brambles while to the left a fenced vault still clings on while the undergrowth catches up

The churchyard near the Lychgate

Above Hymn books stacked by the Chrurchwardens seat

I'll leave you with this view of the church looking along the south side 

Have a Peaceful Weekend