Holy Trinity Hermitage

This was the second of the Churches I spotted on the Ordnance Survey Map that I missed before and is only a mile or so away from the Church in Oare I showed last week. I thought the church looked new when I saw it but noticed the date plaque high under the bell dated 1835. Since then it has been reordered and gained an extension on the West end.

From the road you see a white painted church

You enter the churchyard through the above Lychgate and the first thing you see is the extension on the West end

Above it you can see the bell and below the date plaque which reads "Adelade Chapel Founded Anno Domini 1835" the original name

Above the reordered church with extension painted white.

Inside you look down the nave to the chancel

Above the brick chancel arch

The altar and triple East window

The triple window behind the altar and cross behind the altar on the screen

Closer view of the triple window

The centre window of the three

The left and right had of the tree windows of the East end

Looking back to the nave to the extension on the West end

The west end stained glass window

On the north side of the church you can see these two windows

With this inscription on the base of the window

The same on the other window
the commemorate those who gave their lives in World War II

Memorial Rev Philip Alexander Longmore

Memorial to Private Eli James Merritt

Memorials to the Herbert family 

Above the pulpit with the view of the nave you get from it

Three of  the windows you see on the North wall

Memorial to William Frederick Daniel

Memorial to Charles William Merrett

Inside the extension which is the church rooms

one corner stands the eagle lectern
with an inscription on the base

Some one spend a while carving this

You can see photos of the original chapel and the person who it was named after

On the West wall either side of the window is a photo of the queen and the lady the chapel was named after

Coming out gives this view down the nave

The British legion flag and below the church font

The carved font cover with the church in the Background

Outside the churchyard is quite large

The centre dominated by this cross

This is the village war memorial listing the fallen from the two world wars

Walking around the churchyard you can see the older headstones

Along with the odd cast iron maker and tomb

The churchyard is well kept

Looking over towards the east entrance

The grave of Sergeant A.E.Sheperd 

These headstones are near the East end of the churchyard

Turn around and you see across the churchyard to the West Entrance

This plaque lists the men who served during the first world war and returned home safely

You look from here towards the war memorial

You leave the churchyard through the East entrance which I passed many times and never realised what was beyond .

Till Next Time 

May you have a Peaceful Weekend

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

Friends Meeting House Wallingford

Walking along Castle street in Wallingford you probably would notice be forgiven that you missed  the small courtyard down this entrance. It belongs to the Friends Meeting House

But go though this passage

And you will come out in this peaceful surrounding with the meeting house  which was built in 1724

The small courtyard hear welcomes you to the place of worship

Inside you find benches that date to the mid 19th century. At the front you see the Ministers Gallery where originally the benches would have faced

The back of the meeting house with bookcase over on the right

This was the ministers gallery where they would speak or preach. aided by a sounding board over their heads that has now been removed. The elders would have sat on the bench in front

Over opposite the entrance door is another door taking you to the garden outside, note the locking bar that not doubt has been there since it was built. The key here on the hook looks like it may well be just as old

It fits this door lock of the same age now painted over many times

Out side a row of headstones that were saved from the old meeting house in Warborough before it was demolished. The meeting house was along Quaker lane that still exists today

The garden outside is a pleasant place to be and a place you can sit and contemplate

You look upon the meeting house

Going back to the front courtyard and towards the wardens cottage built in Victorian times

I notice a well trod doorstep. I wonder how many people have trodden on it over the years.

Before I go through the passageway out to the street I turn around for another Look

And leave you with the view of the Friends meeting House and I feel grateful for the chance of visiting. If you want to know more then visit Mid Thames Quakers

Till Next time have a Peaceful weekend