St Mary Magdalen Stoke Talmage

After visiting Cluxham & Easington churches last year I realised there were a few more churches in the vicinity and Stoke Talmage was the next village along so over the Christmas period I visited three. St Mary Magdalen was the first and like Easington the village only consisted of a few houses. Quoting straight from Wikipedia on the history
"Stoke Talmage seems to have had a parish church since the 11th century, although the first clear historical reference to it dates from 1219. The Church of England parish church of Saint Mary Magdalene was restored in 1758. In 1860 it was restored again and extended to plans by George Gilbert Scott.
St. Mary Magdalene Rectory was built in 1752. It was extended in 1820 by the builder and architect Daniel Harris."

Above a shot from the gate and a look along the path which you can see is just a well trodden path across the grass bringing you past the East end of the church left

Heading around the South side of the church gives a better view and shows a little of age of the church.
Unusual feature to me is the short belltower

The North side always seems to be the side that is forgotten about but is still tidy none the less

around to the east end and you can see there is a North aisle to the church

Above the bell tower and a blocked off entrance with window at the top
Left a view across the churchyard from the far side

Zoomed in a little

Looking west over the churchyard which is quite large considering the size of the comunity

The churchyard is still in use and people are remembered as you can see from the flowers

The far side of the churchyard to a row of cottages

This side leads to a lane down the steps in the distance

A row of cast iron grave markers all in very good condition and I suspect the last resting place of one family. Behind there are a few more cast markers.
Left a family vault

some forgotten tombs under the trees

and old headstones covered in moss with a forgotten familyvault
Left a chest tomb with ivy creeping on it

The tome and vault can be see on the South side of the church

Above around the North side a moss covered grave with a bird bath on now forgotten about.
Right a view of the churchyard from near the steps from the lane South of the church

A last view of St Mary Magdalen. The church was locked when I visited and if I get a chance I will return but for now if you look in the link it will take you to the Photos from Oxfordshire Churches John Ward took of the church.

Have a wonderful weekend