The Churches Conservation Trust

The Churches Conservation Trust  is one trust I came across on one of my first visits to churches many years ago. I did not know much about it then but the trust looked after redundant churches.

These churches have little or no congregation to make them viable but are still a valuable resource, the church is left in its basic state and the power removed and building looked after. A couple of time a year a service is held in them to keep them as a place of worship. Visit their website to find out more. I am lucky in that there are three of these churches with in a five mile radius of where I live and two I found while looking for WWII pillboxes that were nearby. Here are a few of my favourite churches I visited.

St Johns  Mongewell is on an old Jewish school called Carmel College very near a Boathouse that has an interesting history because there is a WWII defended building attached to it disguised as part of the boathouse. While trying to pinpoint the place on a map I noticed a little cross nearby and found a church when I went along to visit the boathouse. The college when I visited was empty and had been fro many years as it closed but looking through the windows you would have thought from the chairs on desks that they had gone home for the weekend. The church itself I found was a ruin but had some restoration done to it and the Chancel had been made into a chapel which on my first visit was locked but after I found where the key was kept I went back. I intend to go back agin one of these days and get some better photos

The next one is only a mile or so away along a footpath at Newnham Murren and is a beautiful little church to visit. Over to my left out of sight behind a row of trees is another WWII pillbox and the church was also witness to another tragedy during WWII when a Halifax Bomber crashed a few hundred yards away in a field Killing the Pilot and navigator. The tried to stop the plane crashing into the nearby town of Wallingford when the wing gave way and it crashed. If you click on the link you can read what I discovered. St Mary's church is worth the effort of visiting if you are nearby

 St Peters Church is further along the path in Wallingford and if you come from Newnham Murren along the river you will see the Church Spire as you come to the bridge across the River Thames. It dominates the town. I remember passing it on my was to work when I was an apprentice back in 1968 and one of the craftsmen who I was under used to stop off on the way home to wind up the clock. As new people came to the town and it expanded they started to complain until the town council took the decision to stop the clock and now it sits silent. The church became redundant back in 1971 but is still used for various events and concerts. One of the interesting point so of the church is that is it the last resting place of  the Blackstone Family and in particular William Blackstone who's memorial is on the South side of the church. If you visit Wallingford I recommend a visit

St Bartholomew Lower Basildon is a church I visited a few times, the first time was to look for the grave of Jethrow Tull of Seed Drill fame, he lived locally for most of his life and was buried at the church, you will find a headstone with his name on it but its a modern version near the church, I fer his grave is lost in the churchyard some where. While there I went to look in the church but found it locked. I did not realise at the time it belonged to the trust and one day I went back to see if I could visit again and was please to see the doors were open. It was a wonderful church that I found had a nice atmosphere and well worth my visit. If you visit Beale Park (not far away) then on the way out you pass the church, If you are there do pop in for a look it is worth it.

 Not sure why but it took a while for me to visit St Katherine Chiselhampton which I did not realised was part of the Trust I always thought it was still in use till I went there one day and found the Church locked by the door was a little sign telling me it belonged to the Churches Conservation Trust and where the key could be obtained. I tried one but could get no reply so I left and decided to come back another time which I did and the key was at the pub down the road. They were very helpful and gave me the key and when I opened the door it was like going back in time. The church was stunning to look at with box pews , white painted walls  and flowers in the windows. The church is not far from Oxford and I have to say is one church making an effort to see.

The next church is not far way at Nunham Courteneay and All Saints Nuneham Courtenay 
was a church I did not realise was there, I had though t it a private chapel in the grounds of   Nuneham House till I found out that the trust looked after it. I made my way to the House and parked in the carpark of what is the Global Retreat which owns the house and grounds, when I enquired after the key I was told the church was open and how to get to the church. When you look at it the church reminds me of a Temple with the Portico, in fact I was wondering what I would find inside but I was very pleased with what I did find. It was another stunning church with a beautiful interior and well worth going to see.

The last church I will mention today is St Thomas East Shefford It is very near to East Shefford Farm and you leave your car in a parking space outside the gates. The church looks old as you walk up to is and inside is very plain and unadorned with only a few chairs around the place. What stands out are the wall paintings you can see over the chancel arch and the old glass in the windows. I is one of my favourite church I have come across on my visits.

I have only covered a few churches from the Trust that I visited  but I am sure if you check their website you will find many more near to you that can be visited. I have no doubt that I will visit more when I get a chance. You can find a list of other organisations in the right had column of the blog which I have listed though I will admit I am not a member of any of them though it has not crossed my mind to join one of them they are all worthy of support.

Till Next Time Please stay Safe