After managing to visit St Peter Alvescot for the second time I have decided to use it as my Christmas Blog. On my original visit I was disappointed to find the church locked but found that I could visit if I arranged a date and time so after quiet a few months I arranged for the church to be opened for me by the Church Wardens and I must admit I was very glad I did because it is a wonderful church to visit. The reason for the church being locked is because the roof joists had become unsafe so the church had to be kept locked in case of injury.
The headstops on the end a little worn with age
Although I noticed few marks on my last visit I did not take that close a look so was pleased when these marks were pointed out to me. They were most likely made by pilgrims visiting the church, the one on the right clearly a arm with hand at the top
Inside looking down the nave
The chancel arch
Inside the chancel with choir stall ether side
Altar and east window
The window is quite spectacular to look at
The altar dressed with simple wooden cross and candle holders. Behind is a reredos
This is a bit lost on me though I have seen similar in other churches, a blocked window perhaps?
Stained glass window in the south wall of the chancel
One of the sets of choir stalls
Behind both sets you can find a squint
This kneeler took my eye
Memorial to Arthur Cage and his wife, the brass is very tarnished
Other memorials in the chancel
Eagle lectern beside the pulpit
The looks Victorian the base looks older
From the pulpit looking to the nave, I forgot to get a photo of the nave from the chancel arch
South transept is closed off for use
On the right hand side a hand written list of the that is fading a little
Nearby a prayer desk
With this brass plaque with a list of the lost in WWI
Inside the south transept you can see a couple of stained glass windows
Both in the Pre-Raphaelite stile of the time
There is also a brass showing a noble and his with with their two children
On the way out I spotted the arches had the remains of paint on them
Pews over in the north transept
In the west wall a new door leading to an extension that housed a toilet
East wall and to the right the squint
You can also see this beautiful stained glass window showing the Madonna and Child
In nave you can see these impressive memorials
This mosaic of the Shill valley was propped in one of the pews
In the bell tower there are more impressive memorials
You can also see a couple of commemorative plaques
This one is for the treble bell given in honor of S/Sgt Raymond Abbots
Also a memorial to Alice wife of John Wayne who died in 1675
From the tower arch a view down the nave
Looking up around the church you can see these corbels from the old roof before the roof was razed
This what the roof loos like, it should be over the whole ceiling bit the ply covered area leaks so they are stored in the south transept till it is fixed, some of the roof beams have been replaced and others strengthened with steel
The font is 13th century
I will leave you all with this photo of the advent candles and church.
That is it for this year, the next blog will come out the first Saturday in 2025 and well be featuring the first of two reviews of the churches I visited this year
Till next time may I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful new year
1 comment:
Merry Christmas, Billy! May God bless you in the New Year.
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