This week the Church Explorer is back on the Oxfordshires Best Churches Trail going to far side of the county to Visit St Nicholas Idbury. I had no idea what to expect with this one and hoped the church would be open when I go there, it was. I hoped to visit three churches out of the book which I worked out were on an easy route as it was I managed four.
"The Church of England parish church of St Nicholas was originally Norman, but little survives from this period except the ornate north doorway. Early in the 14th century the bell-turret, north aisle, south porch and south doorway were added, new windows were inserted in the chancel and the chancel arch was altered. The east window is Decorated Gothic. The bell tower was added shortly afterwards. Later a clerestory was added to the nave and other windows were added to the nave and north aisle, all of them Perpendicular Gothic. The church is a Grade I listed building.
The tower has three bells, two of which are medieval. The second and tenor bells were cast in about 1420 by an unknown bellfounder, and the treble was cast in 1749 by Abel Rudhall of Gloucester. There is also a Sanctus bell that was cast in about 1320 and hangs in a bellcote on the gable end of the nave above the chancel arch. The tower also has an early turret clock of a type that is unusual for this part of England. It has a wooden frame more characteristic of the Midlands. Early in the 18th century the clock was modified with the addition of a new escapement of unusual design, but the clock itself is considerably older. St Nicholas' parish is part of the Benefice of Shipton-under-Wychwood with Milton-under-Wychwood, Fifield and Idbury"
On parking up I could see the church had scaffolding and had been getting some restoration done
The different window tracery was interesting on the south side
East end of the church which looked to have been re-pointed
North east view
North side window and tracery
North side with blocked door
The churchyard was sparse of memorials south west of the church
Near the church a bale tomb was protected but wood due to the building work
These could have been moved due to being unsafe or fallen over years ago
A few chest tombs to look at
Looking east along the south of the church
Collage of older headstones around early 1700's
The chest tombs looking in back condition
On the north side of the church you will find this grave and monument
I thought it was one of the strangest ones I had come across
But on finding out who Sir Benjamin Barker was It all fell into place for me and I thought it was quite fitting
The porch
Inside to the doorway which looks Norman
First view of the church inside
One with my camera
The wide showing all the inside from by the door
One across with my camera
The chancel arch which is an old narrow one, it also has a rood screen and rood cross
Wider view with my camera
The altar along with the east window
Turning around to see the rood screen and cross
A wider view shows there is a door to the right leading to the north aisle
The nave from the screen
The pulpit, take note of the carving on it
Looking down on the box pews
The north aisle with my camera
Going down near with my phone and the altar with it's east window
The altar looks like it was built in recent times from the block work and mortar
Looking right to the door showing the chancel
The doorway above I found interesting, the church must have had a rood loft at one time
View through the door to the chancel
The windows in the north aisle
Looking back west
Looking through the arches to the nave
This was nice to see a this old bier in church, I wonder if they still use it
This is the memorial to Thomas Havtin who died in 1643, it would have been in the floor over his tomb in the church at one time
Hand written Roll of Honor
Memorial and pictures in the church
Remember the pulpit well the carving is the same as the pews here
So I'd say around 1700 and still in use
and well worn from the look
Plain box pews
This window is in the north wall of the chancel
View of the south wall of the nave showing the windows
The font
Which I am pretty sure is Norman
Till next time may I wish you all a peaceful week
6 comments:
Such beautiful shots, thanks for linking up and sharing your snaps with #MySundaySnapshot.
Interesting to read about Sir Benjamin and, yes, now his grave does make a bit more sense and is, I think, rather beautiful.
The carvings on the pulpit and the pews are so unique, Billy. The scaffolding assures me that this church is being well cared for. Blessings!
I’m glad the church is being well cared for. Even the grass is neatly trimmed.
Sir Benjamin Barker's monument is certainly one of a kind!
Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2024/08/a-few-more-details-inside-pennsylvania.html
There's a real gothic feel to this church - Thanks for linking up and for sharing your snaps with #MySundaySnapshot.
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