St Bartholomew Oare

I found this church after looking on a map for churches that I wanted to visit in the area, it was not far from another I discovered I had missed so I took the opportunity to visit the church. I found some history on Wikipedia

"Oare boasts the earliest documented history within the parish. In 638, King Edgar gave Oare Chapel to the Abbot of Abingdon, a gift witnessed by Saint Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury. Ten hides of land (around 1200 acres) accompanied it.

A monastic grange was built by the abbot at which he could rest on the arduous journey between Abingdon and Winchester. The grange was where Oare Farm House now stands. All that remains of the original is a very fine garden wall. The pond beside the church was formerly used by the monks and prior to hold carp for their Friday meals. The grange was pulled down during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII, leaving the little church for the people. Oare became a chapel of Chieveley at that time." 

The church is found through these gates

Looking along the path leading to the church

Above the West end of the church.

Left the Southside of the church

Going around to the North side

Above the North door still in place


Left the East end

Above the East end  and going around to the South side

The end stop on the North door

Above another end stop from the South door

The South churchyard

Looking across to the West end

Above three of the headstones at the West end

Right a headstone that took my eye beside an older one

An angel keels between two crosses

Above the angel looks like a child and I would think watches over one

The crosses either side are similar and belong to the same family vault

I will leave you with a view of the church. Sorry I did not get inside but the church was locked. I know were to get the key so will endeavour to return.

Till the next time I wish you a pleasant weekend

St Mary Chieveley

There seems to be very little history I can find on this church and what I did came from Royal Berkshire History. 
"The Church dates back to the 13th century. It has one of only three remaining Veil Screens in England. It was used for the hanging of a veil to screen off the altar during lent but the practice was forbidden in the reformation"
The photos this week are all external because at the time of my visit the church was locked, I will try and return as it sounds like there are some interesting things to see inside

The Lychgate is the first thing you see

before going along the path to the church where if you walk across the churchyard a bit you can see the South side

Above the bell tower and left the North aisle and newere church rooms that have been added

Down to the East end

View across the churchyard to the South side of the church

The porch with doors that were firmly locked at  the time of my visit

Along the South side a few of the graves you can see there

over the path you can see more of the churchyard

Looking around it you cannot help noticing the number of older headstones

and it seems to extend quite a way

the one memorial I came across on the church wall

I have to admit the churchyard was vast for the size of the village

but was well kept

with quite a few trees around as well

Right at the far South side is a new part where the present burials take place

A couple of unusual looking crosses for ths part of the country

 




There were two Commonwealth war graves I could find in the churchyard, one looked as though it had been forgotten about

Like the cross above near the boundary

Right the memorial garden

Looking West to East across the churchyard

Some of the older headstones, some the wording has gone others sink in the ground

 I will leave you with this view of the war memorial which is fittingly outside the church

and with luck should return to  take some photos around the inside

Till Next time I wish you a wonderful weekend 

 

St Barnabus Peasemore

This was the main church I had intended to visit on my tour of churches, it is set a few miles away from the A34  in a small Berkshire village. Had to look for some history which turned up on Royal Berkshire History.

"The original church at Peasemore is supposed to have been founded by St. Peada, the King of Middle Anglia in the 7th century, but this legend is probably just a guess based on the placename.

The present church is unusually of Victorian blue brick. The tower is older, as an inscription tells us, "1737 Will Coward Gent built ye Tower". The dramatic spire was added in 1842.

The interior is not displeasing, despite the lack of aisles. Particularly delightful are the colourful tiled murals (1911) flanking the altar. They depict The Supper at Emmaus and Christ's charge to St. Peter. There are 18th century wall tablets to the Cowards and the Sellwoods, but the best monument is an heraldic brass to Thomas Stampe (1636). He was a member of a widespread North Berkshire family originally from Cholsey. His wife came from Prior's Court in Chieveley"

The main entrance to the church is through this Lychgate

Which has the name of the church and plaque telling you it was Berkshire Best Kept Village in 1978

The church looks like it has been renovated back in Victorian times

The North side with added chapel that is used as a vestry

Around to the East end

The tower which shows that it was built in the 1700s by looking at the brickwork on it

The porch with its open door, always a good sign

Inside as you walk in you get a god view down the nave

Going though to the chancel

The altar and the East window

Above the stained glass East window and left the altar with covering

 
The carved altar back depicting Jesus praying while the apostles slept








Either side of the altar you can see these tiles murals

The church organ with choir stall in front

Turn around and look towards the back of the church

where at the back you can see the church font

The pulpit

The pulpit with the steps leading up to it and the eagle lectern

From the pulpit you get a good view of the nave

There is a lot of nice stained glass in the church

Which looks typical Victorian

Around the church you can also see quite a few memorials

To different rectors

who were looking after the parish

There are also  a few marble memorials


















to other notable local people

The church brass of Thomas Stampe which would have been on his tomb in the aisle or chancel but now adorns the wall of the church

Inside what is the vestry now behind the organ you can see these metal plaques

The still look in good condition.
Right the coat of arms that was stolen from the church

The Roll of Honour for Roger Brennan & Tom Elliott

Just below the chancel stem you can see a couple of the tombs that are in the church

Going back out you pass the church font

Where you can read the inscription around the top

Outside the churchyard beside the path leading to the church

Looking the other way East

Above beside the  porch you can see this part of the roof which let the water pour off to the ground.

Left a couple of the headstone on the West end

Looking over towards the Lychygate

Near the  porch is this tomb

Going over to the far South side of the churchyard

Some of the crosses near the West side boundary

Above two differing crosses a simple cast one and a more expensive stone one

Left more crosses nearer the church

A row of family tombs

This wooden cross  looks like it has rotted at the base and been pushed back in lower down

Sir Brian McGrath
on the left,  right some of the tombs on the East end of the church












 

The Commonwealth War Grave of Private J Harris
 

An angel watches over a grave which right red roses grow beside a cross

The crosses here all belong to the same family

Till next time
I will leave you with this photos of the altar cross and vase of flowers
and wish you a pleasant weekend