St Mary Adwell

I missed this church the last time I was in the area but this time I was determined to see it. The church is was not  from the last one I visited at South Weston and only along the road from St Andrew Wheatfield.
Some history from Wikipedia 
"Adwell's original parish church is believed to have been built late in the 12th century, although the earliest documentation of it is dated 1254. It had only a nave and chancel. The latter may have been enlarged in the 13th century, judging by its east window which was early Decorated Gothic. In the 14th century new windows were inserted in the nave and a new west door was added. In 1553 the building was recorded as having a bell-cot with two bells. All of the walls were repaired around 1800, but by the early 1860s the building was considered too weak to be restored.
The old church building was demolished and in 1865 it was replaced with a new Church of England parish church of Saint Mary designed by the Gothic Revival architect Arthur Blomfield. Blomfield's design replicated the early Decorated style, but the new building retained the south doorway of the old church, which is in the transitional style between Norman and Early English Gothic.The new church also retains the memorials from inside the old one, including a stone effigy of a knight from about 1300. The new building has no aisles, but has north and south chapels arranged as transepts either side of the chancel. There is no tower, but a bell-cot with one bell. The bell dates from about 1350 and so may be from the old church building.
St Mary's parish is now part of the Benefice of Thame.^"

The main entrance to the church is up these superb set of steps where you are faced with a view of the west end

The south side shows the porch and south transept chapel

Going along to the east end

The East end with South chapel

Back to the west end and a view of the church bell in it's spire

The churchyard had headstones scattered around it

And over on the south side were two Commonwealth War Graves

Flying Officer L.C.Martin 

and Leading A.C.W. Diana Marjorie Marks

Up near the West end stand three crosses  and but the side of the church a tomb

Looking towards where the entrance gate is situated

Back to the East end and a couple of Tomb chests

The second entrance which I came in a last look as I go

Unfortunately I found the church locked to could not take any photos of the inside If I get a chance to get some I will post them.

I will leave you this week with this view of St Mary.

Have a good week

St Lawrence South Weston

St Lawrence church is over near Lewknor by the M40 and is one of a group of churches around the same area which was on my list to visit. It is a little off the beaten track but sits in pleasent surroundings. Some history I found from Wikipedia
"The current Church of England parish church of Saint Lawrence was designed by the Gothic Revival architect R.C. Hussey and built in 1860. It is in a Decorated Gothic style and incorporates some elements of the previous Norman church. The font is 13th century, and there is a 14th-century tomb recess in the north wall of the chancel. Over the east window, on the outside is a statue of Saint Lawrence.
The armchairs in the church were given by the Reynardson family of Adwell. The church was renovated in 1988 to make it more suitable for holding services. Until the mid 19th century the church had strong links with The Queen's College, Oxford."

The entrance to St Lawrence church

The church from by the gate which is the South side of the church with the Porch

Heading around to the West end of the church and a view of the church bell

Around to the North side of the church

Couple of views of the North & South  East side of the church

Looking along the South side

Inside the church I found was very pleasant. Hanging from the roof you can see star shaped chandeliers with I presume LED lighting 

The altar has been moved forward in the chancel from the East wall

The East wall has a beautiful wall panel that was behind the altar showing the last Supper
Right the right hand panel

Above the centre panel along with the Left hand panelhere on the left

Couple of views looking to the back of the church. The church must get cold as there are gas heaters around the church

Some of the stained glass you can see around the church

One windows with light coming through on the South side

Left the entrance to the vestry

Right panel on the left hand side of the altar panel

The 24th century tomb recess

The 13th century font with the woodburner over on the left

The pulpit looks to be quite old and simple in its design

The view of the nave from the font and a wall sconce












Candle holders along the side of the wall

Outside the churchyard had many old headstones around

Though when you look they are dotted around the place

Looking over to one of the nearby houses

Few more modern headstones

Few crosses you can see

Down along bu the road is where the older headstones can be seen

most the inscription has gone

others have moss growing on the tom

Whole row of head and footstones, possible the same family

Quite an old headstone dating back to the 1700's or early 1800

Above another old one now sinking into the ground

Left unusual one with three pillars and place for inscription long worn away 

The headstones near the porch

  Back inside for the last photos and a candle on the windowsill 

I will leave you with this view of some flowers on a sill beside the cross and wish you all a 

Happy Easter