Saturday, 29 January 2022

All Saints Wytham

 

The first of my visits  this year was to two churches near Oxford, the first was All Saints Wytham which was a church I have thought about visiting for a while. The church is old which dates back to the 12th century though most of it was rebuilt in the 1800's. History on the church is sparse but if you click on the link above you can read the Berkshire History account of it and though Wytham is now part of Oxfordshire it used to be in the northerly part of Berkshire. This visit too place on a very cold an frosty morning.


 This is the way into All Saints Wytham which at the time of the photo was locked, lucky the noticeboard on the left has the churchwardens name and phone number on it so after a quick phone call the churchwarden came along and kindly opened it for me, don't let the arch fool you it was built in the 19th century

And this is All Saints Church which looks very dark but then the sun is coming up and you are looking at the north side of the church, the sun might creep above the tree in winter. The place must look a lot brighter is the summer months

The east end of the church

North east looking west

Only photo I can get on the south side as the grounds are private

Looking east from the path

Along the west boundary wall towards the tower

Looking towards the east end boundary of the churchyard

Looking back west

The west wall of the churchyard with graves and tombs

back along the path going north

Finally a view of the north side towards the west wall, the entrance arch is to the right

The porch leading to the church

Inside we look down the nave

The chancel arch looking to the altar

 
The altar with cover

 
Looking across the chancel from the south 

The altar cross

 
 Looking to the back of the church and the balcony there
 
 
Pulpit with floral display
 
 
In the pulpit you look down into the nave
 
 
The font is under the balcony at the back of the church
 

Organ over to the right of  the chancel arch
 

 The east window is quite beautiful

 
The stained glass windows are some of the nicest I have seen

 
The figures in the glass typical Pre Raphaelite
 

 Lancet window in the chancel

 
The stained glass in it could be 14th or 15th century
 
 
This one I think has 14th century glass in it

 
The King in the glass may feature Richard II

 
The stained glass is quite stunning

 
Another window showing old glass inserts

 
The top section showing a figure

 
the bottom a phoenix or eagle

 
The coat of arms of Queen Elizabeth II

Memorial to Richard Hall

 
 Benefactors plaque


 Royal British legion flags
 

 Between is this memorial plaque
 

 couple of more memorial
 
 
The corbels that support the hammer beams all have carved faces on them

 
every one different

 
This one shows it's arms as well
 
 
Near the altar are a few tombs


 Belonging to local familys
 

 one has a brass on it
 
 
On the north wall of the chancel you can see some older memorials

 
these two most likely husband & wife ten years apart
 
 
All Saints Banner at the back of the church

 
The hammer beams have coast of arms on them


 
each coat different


 I wandered around looking at each not know who they belonged to
 
 
View of the church looking back showing the hammer beams and braces
 
 
As I left the church I walked past this roll of Honour in the porch
 
I will leave you this week with a shot of the floral display by the east window which had a beautiful perfume to it.
Till next time I wish you all a peaceful weekend.
Take care
 

 
 

6 comments:

William Kendall said...

It's quite beautiful inside.

Billy Blue Eyes said...

Yes it was very nice I thought

Amy said...

Man you guys have some mega old churches, I'd be exploring the names and details on the graves.

Linda said...

Interesting. It looks ancient outside but newer inside.

Jenny Woolf said...

I love this post. What a wonderful church, and your pictures taken on a frosty winter morning are quite atmospeheric. I also like how it is interesting on the inside as well as the outside. What a lot of history, and how unusual it is . I have noticed that fewer churches have an architectural history these days, and I hope that if I get to visit this one I will be able to find a church history. It looks as if there would be a lot to write. I specially liked your pictures of the stained glass, there is some wonderful and varied looking glass here. Thanks!

RachelSwirl said...

Stunning snaps as always. Thanks for linking up and for sharing your snaps with #MySundaySnapshot.