This church could be seen from the main Hungerford road and sits on a hill. It was a church that I had decided to visit after stopping at a nearby War Memorial on the main road one time. On this occasion I was visiting a couple of over churches and mad St Mary my first visit. Some history I found on Wikipedia
"The Church of England parish church of Saint Mary the Virgin was designed by the architect George Edmund Street and built in 1865–66. It has one stained glass window by William Morris. The chancel has a reredos that includes a mosaic by Salviati and a Crucifixion carved by Thomas Earp. It has been protected under the commonest category of listed building (Grade II).
The church replaces a medieval one that stood slightly further east and was demolished in 1866. No record of the old church was made before its demolition. The new church incorporates original Early English fragments that suggest the former church was at least partly late 12th or early 13th century."
It is quite obvious looking at the church that is was built by the Victorians this was a little disappointing for me but is is a pretty church
The square tower on the side was a nice change it is also on the South east end which is unusual
Right the West end of the church
The North side showing one of the aisles
Right around to the East end and the apse
Couple more South views of the tower
The porch and entrance door to the church
The Nave looking to the Chancel arch and left the altar in the apse
The altar with the carved screen behind it
This is the carving mentioned in the history at the start
Looking back though the chancel to the nave
Above the pulpit and right a view from it
And one back to the altar
The chancel window which I think may be the William Morris one, the figure of Mary on the right is typical of is work
Again look at Mary in the picture and you see a face very similar
Above the West window
Right a Scintilla
Some views around the church, One of the large candle holders and right South aisle
There are a few memorials around the church to the Wroughton Family
There is also this grave cross of Major P.M.N.Wroughton who was killed in action during the First World War
Plaques with verses from the Bible can also me seen in the church
Above a view long the North Aisle
Left a bequest that can be seen in the porch
I did like this charity box by the entrance
A cross marked where the coins were dropped and on to where the money would go
One window to the left as you come in you can find some remnants of the old church on display
And photos of some pewter which is on loan to the Christchurch Museum Oxford
The church banner and the organ
Last as I go out the door the church font
The churchyard has may monuments you can walk around
Though there are a few bare patches
The one above was quite unusual
Left a row of three wooden crosses
These are over one side of the churchyard
One of the crosses above mounted on a base
These look to have come from old graves now forgotten about
Looking West along the South side of the church
Couple of graves near the gate on the way out
I will leave you this week with a view of two crosses on the porch and the chancel
Till next time have a wonderful weekend
This blog is dedicated to my Friend Bob who passed away on Friday night. RIP
This blog is dedicated to my Friend Bob who passed away on Friday night. RIP
8 comments:
The stained glass particularly draws my eye.
I enjoyed this tour of this handsome church, it has many artistic details. The stained glass and the memorial plaques which I stop and read, the plaques point to lives lived long ago.
Hello Billy!
You have made great photos as always. That day the weather was beautiful.
Thank you very much that I could see your relativity. She is fantastic!
Have a nice Sunday.
Lucja
...this beauty looks so different from each side, thanks for sharing all these views!
Lovely architecture and windows. I enjoyed all of the photos.
Thanks for the interesting tour. How typical of the Victorians to destroy the old church without even making a record of its appearance - and then build a church which has such a traditional interior! I often wonder how those stone pulpits worked; the old wooden variety are quite cunningly constructed to amplify the sound of the vicar's voice, whereas the stone ones seem to ignore this vital requirement. Of course nowadays, when even the smallest church has some sort of amplification system, it's not so important.
I agree with you, you can tell the age of the church and it's lovely nonetheless. Still a piece of history.
Great shots.
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