St Giles literally stands alone in a field not far from the Village of Hampton Gay. I took the footpath from Shipton on Cherwell to the church passing under the railway with the Cherwell running under the footbridge I was walking along. At first sight the church looked as though it had been taken over by a trust but a notice on the confirmed it was still in use and the fact the church was locked. I did find out I could get a key but that was another walk to the farm a good half mile away so I thought I'd leave it for another visit. There is a bit of history to read from Wikipedia :-
"Tithe records show that Hampton Gay had a parish church by 1074. The Church of england parish church of Saint Giles had included features from at least as early as the 13th century, but in 1767–72 the Rev. Thomas Hindes, a member of the family that then owned the manor, had it completely rebuilt. In 1842 the antiquarian J.H. Parker condemned St. Giles' Georgian architecture as "a very bad specimen of the meeting-house style". In 1859–60 the curate, Rev. F. C. Hingeston, altered the church to his own designs, replacing its round-headed Georgian windows with ones in an Early English Gothic style and having the south doorway re-cut in a Norman revival fashion. St. Giles contains a number of monuments, most of them to the Barry family. The most notable is a 17th-century wall monument with kneeling effigies of Vincent and Anne Barry and their daughter Lady Katherine Fenner. St. Giles' parish is now part of the Church of England benefice of Akeman, which includes the parishes of Bletchingdon, Chesterton, Kirtlington, Middleton Stoney, Wendlebury and Weston-on-the-Green."
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South side view of the church
West end view, no aisles
The door here looks Norman
North side with a single lancet window
East end with a triple window, the top of the tower is unusual in that it has a sphere at the top with the weather vane
Back to the south side again
Further away from the meadow next door
Wide angle view of the church
Porch leading in, the door was locked so no chance of going inside on this occasion
Graves are in restively good condition
Some of the older ones in the long grass
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Collage showing a few more
Older ones in the long grass
Towards the east end of the church
The last window shows a couple more memorials.
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Wide angle shot before I go back
As I got to the gate these fellows were waiting for me
Interesting stone work!
ReplyDeleteQuiet a lot of churches look like this in the UK
DeleteThink of the lives all the church members have lived over the centuries and the historic events this church has weathered. I like the cows too, they long to eat the taller grass on the other side of the stone wall.
ReplyDeleteYes I often think that. Not sure about the cows, they are just curious
DeleteA lovely little church.
ReplyDeleteIt really was William
DeleteThe notes about the changes to the architecture of the church are interesting. It's a shame you couldn't go in, but you got a good view of that memorial through the window. The cows are attractive-looking, but best to by pass them. The church sounds quite remote set in that field. Each church you visit is different with that unusual sphere and weather vane on the roof. Season's greetings Bill.
ReplyDeleteI was lad I managed that but I did return a few weeks later and I am writing the follow up now
DeleteI can see how it looks Norman, definitely agree with you there. I'd like to give those graves a good clean with moss killer.
ReplyDeleteNot the done thing here, we leave it to nature to look after them
DeleteI'll miss seeing your posts while you take some time to celebrate with family. Christmas blessings to you! And thank you for visiting each week at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2022/12/a-continuation-from-last-weeks-post.html
ReplyDeleteHave a Good Christmas
DeleteI like those windows. The weather vane on the tower looks out of place.
ReplyDeleteIt does look odd I must say
DeleteBilly - Visiting from Mosaic Monday! The description was right about that memorial - it is quite unique! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteYes quite unique and one of the better ones I have seen
DeleteMy first thought was: how old is this building. It`s a lovely chuchr!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks being part of MosaicMonday.
Have a wonderful time.
Most are restored by the Victorians though you can find some older
DeleteIt sounds like it has an interesting history. That memorial you saw through the window looks intriguing.
ReplyDeleteSuch stunning shapshots, especially against the skyline. Thanks so much for linking up and for sharing your snaps with #MySundaySnapshot.
ReplyDelete