St Lawrence Besselsleigh

 

Normally I follow a pattern and post the churches in order of when were visited and the photos were taken, this week I am breaking this rule and showing one I visited a couple of weeks ago. St Lawrence Besselsleigh is a small village if you could call it that because it only comprises of  a few houses and a Manor. I passed it while going to work in Oxford spotting it sat back off the road one day. I always remember the church because it looked old and thought I would like to have a look at it some time. A couple of weeks ago I made the opportunity to go along. Some history of Wikipedia

"The Church of England parish church of Saint Lawrence existed by the 12th century, and the west wall, Norman south door and possibly some other parts survive from this time. The church was rebuilt in the latter part of the 13th century, which is the date of the Decorated Gothic west window of the nave and east window of the chancel. Most of the other windows are Perpendicular Gothic: that in the north wall of the chancel from the 14th century and others in the church from the 15th century.

In 1632 William Lenthall paid for St Lawrence's to be "beautified and repaired" and in 1788 William John Lenthall paid for further works on the church. The font is 17th century and the pulpit is 18th century. St Lawrence's is a Grade II* listed building.

Since 2015 the St Lawrence's Church has not been in regular use, and is not normally open for visitors"

From the road it is not easy to see now with the trees that grow nearby and hide the church. It is set off in a layby which looks like and old road which was bypassed by the present A420, I might add turning off into the layby is not easy with all the traffic that runs past.

One of the trees which obscure your view of the church is to the left 

The porch on the church is not as old as other parts of the church, above you can see the two bells in their cote

Going around he outside of the church does not take long being as it is a single cell building

Going around to the North side 

This is the north side of the churchyard which as you can see if not large 

This is looking east on the south side

A large family plot takes up the area near the west end of the church

You see this part as you walk in the gate

Nearer the church at the west end

 

Looking over to the east

 

One of the old windows which had quite clear glass 

The churchyard south of the church looking west

 

Looks a bit like wood but is stone

The Lenthall family is listed on both sides of this headstone

 

This one looks just forgotten about

 

But the inscription below is still readable 

 

Two of the Ashfield Family headstones

 

Wedge shaped tomb

 

Family tomb around the north side

While I was around the back as the church was locked I looked though the window and saw this

 

Going around the south side I took another photo of the altar

 

The church was looking more interesting

 

and even more so looking through the west window

The locked door

Where on the post I spotted this mass dial

Another mass dial on the arch.

That was it I felt I had to come back so phoned the number on the notice board to see what it would be possible to do so. I was asked by the lady  if I was there and told she would be there in 5 minuets I could not believe my luck so here is what it looks like inside

 

This how the church looks inside from the back

The altar

Another view showing the altar  & east window

Looking back to the west end

 

This is the mural you see in the last photo

 

This is looking the other way

 

 The pulpit with a sounding board above.

 

Your quite high in the pulpit and do look down on the pews

The other way showing the box pews

The font is quite small

The church also had quite a few memorials 

The was memorial for Besselsleigh I might add back then it was in Berkshire

 

There are a couple of  funerary hatchments on the walls

 

These are on the north wall

 

On the south one to rector Thomas Davies

 

Henry Foulkes and his wife Mary

 

Quite a beautiful memorial this one

 

Henry Benson Wyndham Ball Lenthall

Ronald William Amey known as Ron who was head of the Amey quarrying and construction company.

He was nearby during the war when a Bomber crashed and along with some US army personnel tried to save the crew who unfortunately all died. The pilot, Sgt DC Adamson is buried at the Commonwealth war cemetery in nearby Botley.

Not sure if it a font or holy water stoup

 

 

An old cabinet which is unusual in that it has wooden wheels on it

 

These beautiful painted angels look down on you

 

They are a little blurry as I was zooming in with my iphone

 

They are on each side of the church

 

This may well be the foundation stone by the altar

 

 

Really like the way they retained the old oil laps

 

Which you can see have been converted to electric lamps

While walking around the churchyard I noticed these little white flower growing so I will leave you with them. 

Till next time I wish you a peaceful weekend