New All Saints Nuneham Courtenay

Short one this week which comes from Nuneham Courtenay. I spend nearly 20 odd years driving through the village before I even checked out the church, by then it had closed. The church was built in 1874 and became redundant in the 1970's, though I seem to remember seeing a sign saying the key was kept at Baldon Church when I last visited about 10 years ago

The path has long gone though the grass is still well trodden in the area

I feel sad the church is no longer used and it's not unpleasant to look at in it's surroundings

The chancel end with the chapel on the side

I like this apse on the side of the church

Above west end of the church

Above and right the gargoyles you can see on the south side of the church

The churchyard has a fare number of headstones in it

Many on the south side

of west end

Going around to the north side you can see newer headstone showing the churchyard is still in use

above the memorial is on the wall at the East end of the churchyard, nearby some of the graves

Looking across the churchyard where you can see fresh daffodils on some of the graves

Looking towards the East end of the church

Heading to the South side you can view many older headstones

and family vaults

and one fenced one

Above crosses in the churchyard

Ivy grows on a headstone under a yew tree

Above a wooden cross with will rot away in time and be forgotten about

I did say the church was redundant and locked last time I came. Well I found it unlocked and open so took the opportunity to look inside. The first thing you see is the stained glass window above in what I thought was the groundsman area. I then had a wander through the place which was used as storage and got some photos of the stained glass

Seems a shame no one other than the people how visit to work here get to see the glass

The chancel window is shown here and was the best I could do which what was in there.

I did not linger long in the place and shut the door behind me hoping some one would lock it again and wandered around the churchyard one last time

Taking photos of the primroses growing on the graves

Proving spring was on it's way

I will leave you with this view of the church and wish you a peaceful weekend

St John the Baptist Whitchurch Hill

The church of Saint John the Baptist was designed by the architect Francis Bacon (1842–1930) and built in 1883.  It was founded as a sister church to St Mary’s for the people who lived and worked in Whitchurch Hill in the 1800s.  It is a much smaller church, with an intimate feel; both churches are united in one parish, with one PCC. On this visit I found the church was locked and at the moment I cannot see me returning for further photos but I can show you a link to what the church looks like inside taken by John Ward of Oxfordshire Churches

Rather nice feature in the Lych Gate leading to the churchyard

Once though your lead around to the front porch on the south side

The West end of the church whic features no bells

Going around to the east end and the apse

Over one side is what looks like it could be the vestry

and a North side view of the church

Walking around the churchyard will show yo are variation of new and old monuments

I was not sure if this one was supposed to be like this or broken till I got near and saw part of the cross in front of it. On the left the more recent graves

The ones on the right look like they have been here some time but now forgotten about

Couple of War Graves one of Stoker First Class G Ward and the other

Above a rather nice cross while on the left a headstone with the good Shepherd on it. I loved the Headstone of Charles Slater with the hole in it

Above the headstone of Alfred John Barton stood out. On the right the forgotten headstone with the Good Shepherd on it

View from part of the overgrown are in the churchyard

Above Primroses look beautiful anywhere. To the right you can see the churchyard has a lot of young trees in it that will add greenery in the summer

Around on the South side which is a little unkempt as far as the grass goes

But there were some beautiful daffodils to brighten the churchyard up

Above I presume the grave was decorated by a younger relative. Right looking West on the churchyard

Harold D Tuck SM SGT of the US Air Force made his home here and is buried in the churchyard, Right the frist headstone with NCC I have come across

Over to the far  side is this building used as a groundsman's hut, I'm wondering if it was a former mortuary

Nearby above a tree cut down and formed into a seat. Right another view of the hut

By the boundary hedge are a number of cremation memorials

From there you get a good view over to the South side of the Church

I will leave you with this shot of  a little cherub reading a book and placed on the arm of a grave cross

May I wish you all a Happy Easter