St Lawrence South Weston

St Lawrence church is over near Lewknor by the M40 and is one of a group of churches around the same area which was on my list to visit. It is a little off the beaten track but sits in pleasent surroundings. Some history I found from Wikipedia
"The current Church of England parish church of Saint Lawrence was designed by the Gothic Revival architect R.C. Hussey and built in 1860. It is in a Decorated Gothic style and incorporates some elements of the previous Norman church. The font is 13th century, and there is a 14th-century tomb recess in the north wall of the chancel. Over the east window, on the outside is a statue of Saint Lawrence.
The armchairs in the church were given by the Reynardson family of Adwell. The church was renovated in 1988 to make it more suitable for holding services. Until the mid 19th century the church had strong links with The Queen's College, Oxford."

The entrance to St Lawrence church

The church from by the gate which is the South side of the church with the Porch

Heading around to the West end of the church and a view of the church bell

Around to the North side of the church

Couple of views of the North & South  East side of the church

Looking along the South side

Inside the church I found was very pleasant. Hanging from the roof you can see star shaped chandeliers with I presume LED lighting 

The altar has been moved forward in the chancel from the East wall

The East wall has a beautiful wall panel that was behind the altar showing the last Supper
Right the right hand panel

Above the centre panel along with the Left hand panelhere on the left

Couple of views looking to the back of the church. The church must get cold as there are gas heaters around the church

Some of the stained glass you can see around the church

One windows with light coming through on the South side

Left the entrance to the vestry

Right panel on the left hand side of the altar panel

The 24th century tomb recess

The 13th century font with the woodburner over on the left

The pulpit looks to be quite old and simple in its design

The view of the nave from the font and a wall sconce












Candle holders along the side of the wall

Outside the churchyard had many old headstones around

Though when you look they are dotted around the place

Looking over to one of the nearby houses

Few more modern headstones

Few crosses you can see

Down along bu the road is where the older headstones can be seen

most the inscription has gone

others have moss growing on the tom

Whole row of head and footstones, possible the same family

Quite an old headstone dating back to the 1700's or early 1800

Above another old one now sinking into the ground

Left unusual one with three pillars and place for inscription long worn away 

The headstones near the porch

  Back inside for the last photos and a candle on the windowsill 

I will leave you with this view of some flowers on a sill beside the cross and wish you all a 

Happy Easter

Our Lady & St Edmund Abingdon

Although I knew of this church and had passed it on occasion it was not high on my list until I found out of some War Graves I needed to visit for a blog I was writing about an air crash at Sutton Wick. I also knew at one time it was part of a  Convent of the Sisters of Mercy and St Lady's School and I was unsure if that was still the case. I stopped off after visiting the nearby cemetery to take photos around the church and was happy to find that the church was open as well. Some history I found on the church can be read in the link, it is worth looking at for the old photo of the church even if you do not read it.

Above the church looking from Radley road
Left the east end of the church

Above he west end with the  bell

Right looking towards the North side of the church with the the connecting link to the nearby school

Going back around to the east end you can see what was either the presbytery or the convent

it links with the covered walkway you see

Above a commemoration of the popes visit in the 1980s

These were the graves I had come to visit from the Sutton Wick air crash

There were a number of graves on the north side of the church

But  I  also noticed that there were a long double row belonging to the Sisters of Mercy

A crucifix watches over then with a plaque fixed under the cross

All the graves are on a cordoned off area in neat rows with the sisters name on the cross.

Right a couple  of old cast iron grave markers that have broken off and are fixed to the church. I have to wonder if they used nearby

The churchyard also had some other war graves. Captain G.J.Ellison and Sergeant P.P.Mcnee

The back of  Captain G.J.Ellison's headstone shows his wife's name 

Above a family vault

left  the headstone of L.A.C Vincent Collins R.A.F who was killed on active service

Looking over towards the corner of the churchyard by the convent

some older headstones beside the north wall

One monument that stands out

Over by the convent wall you find fenced off vault

Listing the names of some of the Sisters of Mercy who started the convent

Inside the church looking down the nave

The cancel with the altar and the chancel window

The chance window and the south chapel

Looking over to the north side of the church where no doubt the the Sisters of Mercy took the school children boarding

Left the shrine to Our Lady of Abingdon 

Right a crucifix with tow of the stations of the cross at the base

Above a view back into the nave from behind the altar

Right the south chapel

I will leave you with this view of the altar 

Have a wonderful weekend