Before I go on I'd like to say thank you to you all for visiting my blog because on Wedensday it passed 10,0000 views, Many Thanks you make it all worth the effort.
This was the last church in my visit to West Oxfordshire and completes the list I wanted to do along the Ridgeway, there are a few more in the area I hope to be going to see in the future. The church is set in a pretty little village and can easily be missed while driving along the road but it is well worth the detour and finding. Some history from Wikipedia
"The Church of England parish church of All Saints was built in about 1195 as a dependent chapel of Uffington. The building is of chalk and clunch, with stone quoins. The north doorway is original late Norman, as are two lancet windows, one each on the north and south sides of the nave[towards the west end.
The chancel arch looks early 13th century. There is a south transept, whose arch and south window look late 13th century. Two north windows of the chancel are Decorated Gothic and one north window in the nave also appears to be early 14th century. The font is 14th century or later and is unusual in being a lead bowl mounted on a stone pillar.
In the 18th century the east wall of the chancel was rebuilt in brick with a single-light east window, and the west window of the nave was altered. In 1914 the east window was replaced with a new one of two lights.
In 1783 the church had one bell. In the 19th or early in the 20th century the bellcote was replaced with the present one on the west gable of the nave. The church is a Grade II* listed building.
Woolstone was made an ecclesiastical parish separate from Uffington in 1846. All Saints' is now once again part of the Uffington Benefice, along with the parishes of Baulking and Shellingford"
The one think I was looking forward to seeing was another lead font.
When I got into the village I thought the road to the church seemed to go to a private house but this time there was a carpark at least nearby. You enter the church yard through this arch and walk along the path to the church
The church dates back to 1195 and looks as though it does as well.
Above the West end wall and single bell. Left the North side of the church
You can walk around the East end but not much chance of getting a good photo of it.
Right the South transept and vestry
Back around to the North side
Above the entrance to the church is through this door so no Porch to protect it or you
Above the Norman Chancel arch
Right the arch leading to the South Transept
Going through the arch it opens up into the chancel with the altar
The altar is covered and had the altar cross and candle holder in place
Here we look back along the nave to the back of the church
On either side of the chancel arch you can see the pulpit and this clerks desk or prayer desk
You also ge a good view of the nave from the pulpit
Left is the South transept and chapel
The feature of the West wall is this panel showing the stations of the cross
The middle panel showing the Crucifixion
The top showing Christ in his Glory
Above the small plate informing you about the panel
Left the organ which is at the back of the nave
The feature I was looking forward to seeing, the Lead font with the engraving around the outside. The other thing I noticed was that the base looked original as well. I felt really privileged to have see so many of these fonts and all of them in Oxfordshire
Above a statue of the Madonna & child in a niche which used to be a doorway
Right the Roll of Honour for the village, at the cross roads where you join with the A4507 you can see the war memorial
While walking back through the church I noticed this crook made using straw
And this beautiful Candelabra
Above some head carvings and if you look up in the roof you can see more wood carvings
Which are as old as the roof beams
In one of the window recesses I noticed a scratch dial
Above the floral display beside the altar
Outside back in the churchyard
Most of it you will see is around on the North side
With a few interesting monuments
Some of the older ones near the church
More older oned which have had the footstones moved to the headstone
Above I though it was a post but its a memorail to someone
Right looking West
I will leave you with thie view of All Saints Till nexttime
I wish you all a wonderfull weekend
11 comments:
It really is a beautiful church!
I"m loving the photos and so glad that it still exists considering how old it is. The straw crook and the wooden doorway interests me the most. It's a shame we can't see how it was originally used in the old days with all the medieval people going in and out.
Hello Billy!
I see a lot of sun in your photos.
I admire another wonderful architecture and church decor.
Thank you that I could see it and admire an interesting place.
Have a nice spring Sunday.
Lucja
Lots of interesting things to see there.
...Bill, you found another lovely church, it's hard to image for me that something dates back so far. Enjoy your week.
I have appreciated the tour of the churches along the Ridgeway. They are all so old and beautiful with a peaceful atmosphere. Thank you for sharing, Bill. Wishing you a good week.
Beautiful! Loved all of the different photos. Thanks for sharing this week.
Thank you for sharing these amazingly gorgeous photos. I love all the details.
It is hard for me to imagine that the church has been there for nine hundred years. Think of all the people who have visited there, prayed there, petitioned there, married there, worshiped there, died there.
I have wonder that myself at some churches I visit
Dear Billy!
Wishing you a very Happy Easter
that is filled with plenty of love and happiness.
Lucja
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