This week the Church Explorer Visits St Giles Wedlebury which is part of the Akeman Benefice being only a few miles from Chesterton and even nearer to the busy A41road
"The earliest known record of the Church of England parish church of Saint Giles is from early in the 13th century. It was cruciform until 1639, when the south transept was found to be so unsafe that it was demolished.
In 1757 the remainder of the building was found unsafe and in March 1761 everything but the belltower was demolished. By September that year a new nave, chancel and two transepts had been completed, incorporating from the old church general building materials, early Decorated Gothic windows from about 1300 and a Perpendicular Gothic doorway.
The foundations continued to give trouble and in 1901–02 the medieval tower and 18th-century south transept were demolished. At the same time the architect John Oldrid Scott restored the remainder of the building, renewing the roof and installing new seating. The tower had three bells: two cast in the 16th century and the third in 1695. Since the demolition of the tower these have stood in the west end of the nave. The west gable of the nave now has a bell-cot with one bell.
St Giles' is now part of the Benefice of Akeman, along with the parishes of Bletchingdon, Chesterton, Hampton Gay, Kirtlington, Middleton Stoney and Weston-on-the-Green".
East end
North east side
North west with sun flare
West window in a ghost arch
South westerly
Churchyard south of the church beside the path
Looking west down the north side of the church
Headstones are a mixture of new and old
New clock on the chancel end of the church
Porch leading in
Angel above the door
I love the fact the porch is used as a little library for the village to use
The nave looking down to the chancel
Chancel arch looking in the chancel
View across the chancel
The altar with decorative panel in front
The panel and last supper behind
Looking back though the chancel arch
Pulpit with steps leading to the door
The nave from the pulpit with the north transept
Selection of the memorials in the church
Parish Roll of Honour
One family lost a loved on in both wars
A few of the memorials which are legible to read
One side of the choir stalls and clerks desk
Organ in the north transept
View looking to the north transept
One of the original bells from the church
Two more bells
The photo explains the bells
Plan of the old church
Architect drawing of the old church, I much prefer the look of the old church,, it's a shame it was not saved. In the present day I feel it would have been saved
The three 16th century bells at the back of the church
I will leave you with a photo of the old font which I would think came from the old church
Till next time I wish you all a wonderful weekend
It is a shame about the old church being demolished. I too like the idea of using the porch as a library for people. Good to see the old font seems to have survived :)
ReplyDeleteThat church has been around a long time so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that it had structural problems in the past. Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteThere are many other interestings things here to see, to read like the bells or the ghost arch. I enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing and being part at
MosaicMonday.
Have a wonderful week.
Greetings by Heidrun
The history of this building and its travails - and the persistence of the parishioners to ensure its survival - is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2023/11/last-post-from-longwood-gardens-for.html
Impressive church beautifully documented.
ReplyDeleteThe church does look unusual from the outside, but I suppose that is understandable with all the demolition and rebuilding. It's a shame they couldn't rebuild a tower. The library is a great idea! We have one in a bus stop in our village.
ReplyDeleteI like how you've captured the sun spots there, stunning. Thanks for linking up and for sharing your snaps with #MySundaySnapshot.
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