I originally visited New Saints Church Nuneham Courtenay a number of years ago then returned to update the photos for this blog. When I first visited I noticed a sign telling you the direction of a Historic church, My thoughts were that some one had been messing about and the church I was at was the correct one. How wrong I was because soon after I discovered there was another church further along in the grounds of Nuneham House which was now the Global Retreat Centre
Some history on All Saints which is taken from Wikipedia but if you want to read more then click on the link as the church has it's own wiki page.
"This church is the second of three parish churches serving Nuneham Courtenay, each of which was dedicated to All Saints. The original church dated from the medieval period but was in a "ruinous state" by 1762. The medieval church was demolished by Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt. The churchyard was destroyed and turned into a "pleasure ground" for the earl. This church was built in 1764. It was designed by the earl himself, with alterations to the design made by the architect James Stuart. Its estimated cost was over £800 (equivalent to £100,000 in 2016).
The church was sited conveniently for the earl and his family, but
not for the parishioners living in the relocated village. In 1880 the
third parish church was built, this one next to the new village, and
this church (the subject of this article) was converted for use as a
private chapel for the family and refurnished. It was declared redundant on 8 May 1980, and was vested in the Churches Conservation Trust on 28 October 1981. For visitor access, a key can be obtained from the Global Retreat Centre nearby."
You can read a more detailed History on the Britain Express Website
You can read a more detailed History on the Britain Express Website
I walked through the grounds to reach the church
and had to walk around this wall to come to what looked like the front of the church with this magnificent Portico
But this bit is a folly
You need to go around the side to this smaller apse entrance
This is the sight that greets you. Quite impressive you have to admit
The beautiful carved altar
All beautifully laid out
Off to the right is a separate chapel with memorials in
One I noticed right away is this grave cross to Lieut R.G.Gale
Nearby is this beautiful Roll of Honour
That lists all the dead from the Village
You can see these Wreathes sent by the House of Commons for Kink Edward VII Lying in state at Westminster Hall in May 1917
Above the ribbons of the wreath sent to the funeral of King Edward VII
Bust of I presume one of the Lord Harcourts with self locking chest below.
Right Memorial to Reverend D Bryon Eaton
Above a view back through the church to the entrance the carpet was used at Edward VII's coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey
Left verses from the bible
The I believe
and the Lords prayer
The church also holds some of the best Funerary Haychments I have seen
The condition is superb
They look as good now as they did when first painted
More verse from the Bilbe
This magnificent painting is on the wall over the entrance
Not sure what these types of seat are called
The carvings you see in the church are something else
Not seen any like it elsewhere
This is some of the detail off Memorial to Reverend D Bryon Eaton
Have to wonder if this is the Reverend himself
One of the cherubs on the top of the memorial
Memorial to Reverend D Bryon Eaton is looking a little tired now like the one to the right
Did not realise this was a folding chair
Memorial to Sir William George Granville Venables Vernon Harcourt
A modern Tom Effigy
Which is stunning in its detail.
I can only assume it is one of the Lord Harcourts
Bust with the visitors book in front beside the entrance to another small chapel
where you can see this simple stone font topped by an ornate 18th-century Italian cover plus even more memorials
to some very wealthy people
The one above was a little different to the rest
and none easy to get a photo of
But the chapel was no doubt built for Julian Earnest
You could spend a long time looking at the memorials on the walls
Above the quite stunning Memorial to Therese Vernon Harcourt
Unusual commemorative plaque, it was more a failed assassination by Margaret Nicholson,
benefactors of the church and the date it was built
The Rock Memorial
Above Julian Earnest Harcourt
Left a Bible verse
which are all around the church
Coat of Arms
18th Century Lectern with a triangle base
Above the small organ which I never noticed till I was leaving
Above couple more busts
Last view though the church
Outside around the back you can find the churchyard which may well have also been the one from the old church
You can see a lot of family graves here
Some headstones are now eroding
Others still very much readable
This tomb is covered in Moss
The Harcourt family Vault is not east to miss
and is not far from the family chapel
Old family vault
Moss covered Tomb
Not far from the church is this covered tomb effigy which is a
Monument to Anthony and Philippa Pollard, saved from Abingdon Abbey
it looks very out of place where it is
Normally you would see tomb effigies like this in a church
The lord and his lady in repose and at the base I presume the two children
The faces have eroded away
and the plaques nearby covered in algae
Bit distorted but a stitch of the tomb
Another stitch view of the church
One near the altar
I have to say this was one of the best redundant churches I have visited yet and I would recommend a visit if you are around Oxford
Till next time enjoy your weekend
