St Agatha is one of only four churches dedicated to this saint in the UK. It was built in 1153 by the Bishop of Winchester, Henri de Blois and illustrates various architectural styles which have occurred over the last nine centuries. The only visible bit remaining of the original small Norman church is the south doorway. The tower, rebuilt of brick in 1797 after the original collapsed with its six bells, now houses eight bells. This history came from Oxfordshire Historic Churches Website
Above the first view of St Agatha along the path leading to the church
Couple of different views of the tower where you can see it is a lot different to the rest of the church
This shot shows some of the older windows that let in light above the south aisle
Along the north side of the churchyard
another north side view
The whole of the north side of St Agatha
Quite an old rose bush near the porch
This tomb is rather unique in that the arches are fronted by glass , I've not seen another like it
Looking back east along the churchyard
and the far corners of the churchyard
Round the west end are more headstones which are older
some which are a little overgrown
and other even more being covered in Ivy
One of the original churchyard walls which is made of Cob, something which you don't see much of
This was taken back in 2010 and shows the cob wall with thatch on and in a reasonable condition
when I looked at it this time it was badly cracked
Just about the far west end of the churchyard
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This is the south side of the churchyard
where on the south side they have built an extension
Some older headstones
more from under the shade of the trees
One tomb still standing with slabs from another lent against it
This part has not changed much since this one I took in 2010
The South side looks a little different though
Because you can see the Saxon door with the scratch sundial
The whole side looks a lot different
The tomb which is now in a corner and a corner in the West end of the churchyard
Above is a view you see along the nave with North & South aisles either side. On the right the chancel
Looking back along the nave from he chancel
The altar with chancel window behind
Closer view of the altar and the chancel window
The altar cross & candle holders on the window sill
On the right of the chancel are these recesses
The choir stalls in the chancel
The choir stalls on the right side with prayer desk on the end
One of the candle holders in the church and the church organ
the choir stalls in front of the organ
Candelabra with electric lights in
The pulpit with steps leading to it
and the view you get of the nave from it
The South aisle which had a new altar under the main window
The window must really shine in the morning sun
Over to the right is a new stained glass window that lets colourful light in
At the bottom you can read the dedication and on the wall is a plaque giving the details behind it
There are memorial on the walls but the more interesting one is on the right dated 1642
Memorial to Frederick Kiddle a past rector
looking across to the back of the South Aisle
Inside the tower with it's charity plaques and bell ringing commemorations
Pained bannor in the tower
Another commemoration on the entrance to the nave
The Roll of honour for the village of Brightwell
At one time the church had a rood screen and loft because you can see the stairs that would have lead to it
The obligatory kneelers with the churches name
On the left is the North aisle which is used more for community use as a church room. Flowers by the altar always look good
Sun reflecting in through a window in the South Aisle
The church font and Coat of Arms
Last view across the nave
I'll leave you with a flower display near the Chancel Arch
Do have a pleasant weekend
