This was the main church I had intended to visit on my tour of churches, it is set a few miles away from the A34 in a small Berkshire village. Had to look for some history which turned up on Royal Berkshire History.
"The original church at
Peasemore
is supposed to have been founded by St. Peada, the King of Middle Anglia in
the 7th century, but this legend is probably just a guess based on the
placename.
The present church is
unusually of Victorian blue brick. The tower is older, as an inscription
tells us, "1737 Will Coward Gent built ye Tower". The dramatic
spire was added in 1842.
The interior is not
displeasing, despite the lack of aisles. Particularly delightful are the
colourful tiled murals (1911) flanking the altar. They depict The Supper at
Emmaus and Christ's charge to St. Peter. There are 18th century wall tablets
to the Cowards and the Sellwoods, but the best monument is an heraldic brass
to Thomas Stampe (1636). He was a member of a widespread North Berkshire
family originally from Cholsey.
His wife came from Prior's
Court in Chieveley"
The main entrance to the church is through this Lychgate
Which has the name of the church and plaque telling you it was Berkshire Best Kept Village in 1978
The church looks like it has been renovated back in Victorian times
The North side with added chapel that is used as a vestry
Around to the East end
The tower which shows that it was built in the 1700s by looking at the brickwork on it
The porch with its open door, always a good sign
Inside as you walk in you get a god view down the nave
Going though to the chancel
Above the stained glass East window and left the altar with covering
The carved altar back depicting Jesus praying while the apostles slept
Either side of the altar you can see these tiles murals
Turn around and look towards the back of the church
where at the back you can see the church font
The pulpit
The pulpit with the steps leading up to it and the eagle lectern
There is a lot of nice stained glass in the church
Which looks typical Victorian
Around the church you can also see quite a few memorials
To different rectors
who were looking after the parish
There are also a few marble memorials
to other notable local people
The church brass of Thomas Stampe which would have been on his tomb in the aisle or chancel but now adorns the wall of the church
Inside what is the vestry now behind the organ you can see these metal plaques
The still look in good condition.
Right the coat of arms that was stolen from the church
Just below the chancel stem you can see a couple of the tombs that are in the church
Going back out you pass the church font
Outside the churchyard beside the path leading to the church
Looking the other way East
Above beside the porch you can see this part of the roof which let the water pour off to the ground.
Left a couple of the headstone on the West end
Looking over towards the Lychygate
Near the porch is this tomb
Going over to the far South side of the churchyard
Some of the crosses near the West side boundary
Above two differing crosses a simple cast one and a more expensive stone one
Left more crosses nearer the church
A row of family tombs
Sir Brian McGrath
on the left, right some of the tombs on the East end of the church
An angel watches over a grave which right red roses grow beside a cross
Till next time
I will leave you with this photos of the altar cross and vase of flowers
and wish you a pleasant weekend
3 comments:
...Bill, you have outdone yourself again, this one is lovely.
Thank you for all the photos and details! There is some delightful artwork here.
That reredos is quite magnificent. What an interesting church. At first glance it looks quite plain and simple, but there are some fine details and extravagant touches. I'm glad that simple wooden cross got replanted and will survive a little longer.
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