St Kenelm Minster Lovell

 

As I have been trying to work my way through the book Oxfordshires Best Churches I find I am having to travel further. Up to now most churches were around half an hour away not it has become an hour to get to where I want. This time I worked out I could visit three as they were not far from each other, the First was St Kenelm Minster Lovell a place I had heard about and was looking forward to visit.

"The Church of England parish church to the Saxon Saint Kenelm and the name "Minster" in the toponym suggest that the village may have had a Saxon minster, possibly associated with a Mercian royal vill. However, the earliest known documentary record of the church is from 1183 and the present St. Kenelm's Church is the product of complete rebuilding in the 15th century. The suffix "Lovell", from the main landholding family, was added to the name from the 13th century. In 1197 a William Lovel (died 1213) held land here, probably granted in 1124 to his father William by Henry I"

From the churchyard

North west

 West end showing the door there.

Base of the tower on the south side, the door an entrance to the bell tower

Turn around and you see the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall

Southeast view of the church 

South view from the ruins 

East end, no chance of a view looking straight on 

Northwest view with phone

Southeast with my phone and some of the churchyard

Headstone and cremation memorials on the east side of the path as you come in.

Most of the older headstone are at the west end of the church.

Looking south across the west end

 

There were two commonwealth war graves in the churchyard, sapper H. Messenger and Private

 H.V. Butler

Headstone up near the church

 

 Headstones crammed together up near the porch

Chest tombs of wealth people

Some of the older interesting looking headstones 

Chest tomb of a merchant maybe 

The headstone on the right made in Cotswold stone made to resemble one from the 17th century, the wrought iron one even more modern. 

Forgot to take a photo of the porch after seeing the inside.

Collage of the alcoves in the porch

Inside was like a mini cathedral 

Arches to delight you

The ceiling of the crossover

Chancel was beautiful.

The altar and east window

The reredos was amazing 

With scenes from the life of Jesus 

On the north wall the organ

Looking back through the crossover to the nave

South wall of the chancel the remains could be from the hall next door

Window on the north wall

You need to look around for the stained glass which is medieval 

Choir stalls 

The pulpit looed Victorian 

The view from it to the nave with the tower pillars limiting the view of the nave.

The south transept

Where you find this well-preserved tomb effigy 

Surrounded by coats of arms

More coats of arms on the opposite side

Looking at the face of the knight in prayer, his nose and chin look as though they have been repaired.

St Christoper between two coats of arms on the end 

Collage of other things to see in the church

Memorial in the south transept 

I noticed the arches all had headstops on them.

The Roll of Honour the names hand carved rather than painted on.

I presume this once was on the floor.

The font

Some of the older pews in the nave

The church from the back looking down the aisle. 

St Kenelm is in need of help, so I have shown the poster for them. The beauty of this church surprised me I did not expect how cared and looked after it was. It is a church well worth visiting if you are in the area. 

Till next time may I wish you all a peaceful weekend