St Mary the Virgin Whitchurch

I visited this church back in 2009 after I visited the church in Pangbourne (St James the Less) as it is only across the river . St Mary sits a little off the River Thames near the Thames Path. You can see the spire as you walk over Christchurch Bridge one of two remaining Toll Bridges on the Thames. The church dates back to Saxon Times The history here comes from Wikipedia "The Church of England parish church of Saint Mary was originally Norman, and was altered in the 15th century. In 1858 the Gothic Revival architect Henry Woodyer completely rebuilt the church, retaining only the Norman south door, Perpendicular Gothic south porch and a few other items. The parish is now a member of the Langtree Team Ministry: a Church of England benefice that includes also the parishes of Checkendon, Ipsden, North Stoke, Stoke Row and Woodcote"  You can read a more in-depth history on the Langtree  Mistry Website 
So far I have visited three of their churches and will visit the rest in due course.

Walking across Whitchurch Bridge you cannot help notice the church spire. My first view of the church was when I came in the back entrance

Walking around to the North Side

Th eporch on the south side

The small spire on the left and the right a tomb near the porch

View from the south side look to the spire

Above the vestry on the church and on the left the chancel end and North aisle

A very uncluttered North side of the church

A couple of views of the Lych gate which would probably look a lot nicer with some of the growth cut back bu then this was 7 years ago so may have changed a bit now

Above the porch leading to the church

Either side of the porch are these headstops which are a bit weather worn now

Above the doorway is this carving of Christ on the cross which looks a little newer

The entrance doorway is Norman the porch protects it now, above is this carving

You will have to forgive my internal photos I was using a compact rather than DSLR like I do now. Above the chancel and choir stalls

Above the chancel arch

The two photos above show the chancel window and the ceiling

Looking towards the back of the church and the structure supporting the belltower & spire

The other way looking towards the altar

One of the stained glass windows which might be at the back of the nave

The nave windows and memorials on it

Above the church font while to the left is the North aisle

This magnificent memorial is in the chancel

The tomb in the nave floor stands out along the Aisle 

The South wall is littered with memorials around the doorway

Above the church brasses you see were saved and placed on display either side of the chancel arch

You can see a lot of wonderful stained glass in the church

In fact most of the windows were of stained glass

I'm unable to place this stained glass window

The window on the left is the Chancel window, to the right a lancet window

Above on e of the North aisle windows while on the left is a mural below one in the South

The Choir stalls by the Organ

On the South side of the Chancel

The North Aisle with the screened off organ

More memorials which are on the South wall of the nave

All the memorials I notice are in good condition and easy to read 

Above the magnificent tomb near the porch. On the right an overgrown part hiding many graves 

Above cross growing in the brambles while to the left a fenced vault still clings on while the undergrowth catches up

The churchyard near the Lychgate

Above Hymn books stacked by the Chrurchwardens seat

I'll leave you with this view of the church looking along the south side 

Have a Peaceful Weekend

St James the Less Pangbourne

I visited this church back in 2009 so the photos shown are from my first DSLR with most likely the stock lens it came with. The photo coverage is also not how I do it today and was aslo done with two cameras, I may revisit the church again in the future. The only history I can find is from Berkshire History . "The first church here was built some time prior to 1175. It is supposed to have been rebuilt around the time of the Restoration (1660) and the huge brick tower was added in 1718. However, by 1865, the "dilapidation of the building had very far advanced" and nave and chancel were completely rebuilt. The restorers were keen to preserve what historic architecture or fittings they could, but none were to be found. Only the Jacobean pulpit, the Royal Arms (since doctored to appear Hanovarian) and the monuments to Sir John Davis and others were retained."  you can read more by visiting the link

St James the less looking from over the opposite side of the road

The church sits in pleasant surroundings on one side of the village. The war memorial sits to the South side of the church

 The chancel end of the church

with one of the windows to the left, on the right is the large chancel window that lets in the morning light

The brick bell tower is the part that really stands out with the church and is recognisable as 18th century

The churchyard looking towards the bell tower

The entrance porch with the statue of Christ above

Looking back up the churchyard beside the porch

On the left is a family plot though I failed to see who it belonged to, on the right is a tomb

Round the back the churchyard extends quite a way

with some interesting headstone there

you also find a few fenced family vaults

These containers were stacked round the back of the church and I'd love to know what they were

Going inside you can see the re ordered altar in the chancel arch

Above is the South aisle and the North one is on the left

The beautiful Chancel window

The church also has more wonderful looking stained glass windows

I'm not sure where this window is but I suspect at the back of one of the aisles

The organ is tucked away neatly to one side of the Chancel

The arches in front of the organ with one of the carved endstops nearby

This is what the organ hides. The tomb and effigy of Sir John Davies
which to me is a shame. I find it had to believe I'm looking at some one who Knew Queen Elizabeth I 

A shame I presume his two sons did not keep their heads

The skull here is above Sir Johns tomb while on the right you can read of his achievements

There are more memorials you can see on the walls around the church

Above is royal coat of arms

The church font

There are quite a few hatchments in the church

More memorials under these two hatchments

Memorial to Arthur Sackville Trevor Griffith-Boscawen

The roll of honour for Pangbourne

Above the Jacobean Pulpit and some of the kneelers in the church

More kneelers on the back of the pews

The Font cover

Memorial to Gertrude Helen Craven