Saturday, 21 September 2024

All Saints Shorthampton

 

Last church on this trip was All Saints Shorhampton, one which I was looking forward to seeing as it had Wall Paintings 

"The present chancel arch is small and was built in the 13th or 14th century. Most of the current windows are Perpendicular Gothic. All Saints' has box pews that were added in the 18th century and a south porch that was built in the 19th century. All Saints' contains several 15th century wall paintings including a rare one of the "Miracle of the Clay Birds" from the Infancy Gospel of Thomas and another of Saint Zita. All Saints' is a Grade II* listed building. All Saints' is part of the Benefice of Charlbury with Shorthampton. Most church services are now held at the parish church of St Mary the Virgin, Charlbury."

The road past the church leads to a farm

 
 From the road the south east end


 Wider view of the south east
 

 The south side of the church 

 
North side from the west end

 
North again from the east
 

Small window in the chancel south side
 
 
Older headstones near the east end of the church

 
Looking north from near the church

 
Looking north west across the churchyard

 
Westerly view
 

Wide view of the church from over the wall

 
Inside the porch and the doorway


The door from inside

 
The nave from the back showing the wall paintings you can see


Going down to near where you walk in the church

 
The chancel arch which is offset is one of the smallest I have seen

The chancel opens up when you go through the arch

The altar table and east window


The altar table looks just that with a screen placed at the back

The east window has some orange stained glass framing it, the view out the window is enough. There is no other stained glass in the church

Looking back through the arch

One side is a huge squint more like a door that has been cut in to view the service

In the chancel is a small organ

Outside in the nave you will find the pulpit which is up high

 
After climbing the steps to it you look down in the box pews

I like seeing box pews and these are upholstered in velvet which is very unusual from what I have seen

The north wall with lancet window and wall paintings

A closer view of the lancet shows the inside was decorated once


One of the 15th century paintings showing a figure 

 
The paint is clear but I'm at a loss as to what it shows

 
Closer view of the figure 

This one is very faded

This one at the south west wall shows a painted prayer

I wondered if this was a dragons wing

Collage showing the paintings

One the squint wall is this painting of the Miracle of Clay Birds

You can see figures in this one as well

Even the chancel arch was painted at one time

The memorials in the church, the roll of honour I felt was simple and to the point

The holy Bible left open

The roof space

 
The font is most likely Norman and one has to wonder how mans souls have been christened in it.
Till Next time may I wish you all a peaceful week


11 comments:

Ragged Robin said...

Such a lovely view from the East window and the wall paintings are amazing.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

How I wish those wall paintings were a little clearer! The church is an absolute gem. Thanks for the informative visit.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Just found this online:
https://reeddesign.co.uk/paintedchurch/shorthampton-miracle-of-the-clay-birds.htm

Billy Blue Eyes said...

I felt the same way John, mind you I find a lot of paintings like these in churches are the same in that they are hard to make out. I updated the photo and added the link you found

Martha Jane Orlando said...

Definitely a unique church with those wall paintings, Billy. I've never heard about the miracle of the clay birds, but will try to check it out. Blessings!

Life Images by Jill, West Australia said...

Another lovely church. A very solid looking building. The wall paintings look fascinating. Has some of the paint peeled away. Happy travels, enjoy your week. I am joining you at Mosaic Monday.

Linda said...

There aren’t any windows, yet it looks bright enough inside. It would be interesting if somebody found sketches of the original wall paintings.

EricaSta said...

I am happy about the contribution to MosaicMonday again, thank you for that.
Best wishes from Heidrun

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

It makes me happy to know that this church has been left the way it was so long ago and not painted over or "renovated". The painting of the clay birds is sweet and another one looks like a medieval bishop with that cane.

Yvonne said...

Awesome photos. One wishes they were there to see the newly finished paintings in all their glory. The church is still quite beautiful.

RachelSwirl said...

The view out of that window is stunning and the window frame make's it look fantastically framed. Thank you for sharing your snaps and for taking part in #MySundaySnapshot.