Saturday, 5 May 2018

All Saints Shirburn



Now I have visited this place a few times but did not know how to visit till I finally had a a look on a gate leading to the churchyard. You have to go to the Keyholder nearby at the  Shirburn Estate Office for the key and you can only visit during the week between 9 & 4. you can also phone the office and arrange an appointment to visit  After going to Watlington church I went along to Shirbourne. The church dates back to the 11th or 12th century and was rebuilt in 1876. It has its own Wikipedia page so I'll let you have a look at the link for more info. The church is now looked after by the Church Conservation Trust






Your fist view of the church coming in the churchyard





Little over to the West in this shot


I was told to not go outside the perimeter fence as that took you on to the private part of the estate so seeing the North side was out but I took this shot along the North wall to the chapel over the fence






Above the south chapel and on the right the east end of the church
The porch taking you in the church

Inside the church is quite dark as there are no electric lights, quite common with redundant churches

The Chancel










The chancel and altar











The altar with screen at the back

Looking back along the nave 

Another view of the nave form the chancel







left the pulpit and right the lectern which is double sided











 The view from the pulpit






Above the North transept chapel with pews in





Along part of the North aisle











Looking at the nave with the font in the foreground 





Left the font and right a funeral bier, don't often see these













I wonder when this was last used to carry some one to the churchyard

The stained glass window in the bell tower







The South transept chapel and the stained glass window in it







The West or Chancel window























Better view of the window in the Tower and right one in the chancel

In a reflective mood here





On the wall of the South transept you can see this memorial



The cross is on the South wall and on the East wall you can see this church brass
You coats of arms in a lot of churches but this one is unusual 





Above a family memorial  with coat of arms




and skull & crossbones at the base




Over on the South chapel you can see lots of family memorials





The are all from the same family




in the end of the chapel now used as a vestry are some tombs






and this mug on the table along with another memorial











You can see the roll of honour for Shirburn in the church as well





The North transept




closer shot of the inside
Part of the North chapel has now got the organ in it





Nice as it is I always think they look out of place. Right the choir  stalls and prayer desk




Outside for a quick walk around the churchyard




As it was shaded there was still frost on the ground




Though most of the headstones are suffering from neglect now even the memorial in the wall suffer




Near the East end of the church




Looking over to the South side and what looks like a row of family graves
Ivy covering headstones
Moss growing on others



Above a double headstone with moss and lichen


Left the Family group of crosses




Headstones and a family vault




Overgrown with grass and moss covered headstones



Snowdrops were everywhere




covering the churchyard











With that I will leave you with this view of the church and wish you a great May Bank Holiday Weekend








4 comments:

Tom said...

...thanks for taking me along on the visit.

The Greenockian said...

What a beautiful place - looks so peaceful. Love the picture of the reflections from the stained glass window'

Jim said...

Very beautiful.

Linda said...

Glad you got inside! Beautiful interior! The cemetery looks sad though.