St Luke Garford

St Luke's Chapel was never on my  list to visit mainly because I never realised it existed, fact was the church I went to visit only came about because of a comment some one mentioned to me and after looking at my map I noticed this chapel and as it was not far away I went off to visit it as well. Some history from Wikipedia
"Since at least the 13th century, Garford has been part of the ancient ecclesiastical parish of Marcham.The Church of England chapel of Saint Luke dates from the 13th century, but was largely rebuilt in 1880 by Gothic Revival architect Edwin Dolby. The east window of the chancel is a pair of 13th-century lancets and the south doorway of the nave is also largely 13th century. There is a 14th- or 15th-century window in the south wall of the nave, and a 16th- or 17th-century window on the south side of the chancel. The chapel's other windows are largely Victorian. The ancient windows seem to occupy roughly the same positions in the rebuilt chapel as they did in the original building. There is a wooden bell-turret with one bell."
The chapel is situated around the back of a farm and the only way to get to it is by a path aroun dthe farmyard

The churchyard is quite well kept or at least the grass was short when I visited

Quite a number of graves are in the churchyard

with quite a few sticking out of the longer grass

The wooden bell turret and church porch

The north side has a lot of Ivy growing on it

and still has it's door in the North wall

Some of the headstones at the East end

 and last a view of the East & North side of the chapel

The porch was as far I got to going inside as the door was locked meaning I need to get the key from somewhere so I intend to return but till then you can see the inside in Oxfordshire Churches 

 I wish you a peaceful weekend

All Saints Shirburn

Now I have visited this place a few times but did not know how to visit till I finally had a a look on a gate leading to the churchyard. You have to go to the Keyholder nearby at the  Shirburn Estate Office for the key and you can only visit during the week between 9 & 4. you can also phone the office and arrange an appointment to visit  After going to Watlington church I went along to Shirbourne. The church dates back to the 11th or 12th century and was rebuilt in 1876. It has its own Wikipedia page so I'll let you have a look at the link for more info. The church is now looked after by the Church Conservation Trust

Your fist view of the church coming in the churchyard

Little over to the West in this shot

I was told to not go outside the perimeter fence as that took you on to the private part of the estate so seeing the North side was out but I took this shot along the North wall to the chapel over the fence

Above the south chapel and on the right the east end of the church

The porch taking you in the church

Inside the church is quite dark as there are no electric lights, quite common with redundant churches

The Chancel

The chancel and altar

The altar with screen at the back

Looking back along the nave 

Another view of the nave form the chancel

left the pulpit and right the lectern which is double sided

 The view from the pulpit

Above the North transept chapel with pews in

Along part of the North aisle

Looking at the nave with the font in the foreground 

Left the font and right a funeral bier, don't often see these

I wonder when this was last used to carry some one to the churchyard

The stained glass window in the bell tower

The South transept chapel and the stained glass window in it

The West or Chancel window

Better view of the window in the Tower and right one in the chancel

In a reflective mood here

On the wall of the South transept you can see this memorial

The cross is on the South wall and on the East wall you can see this church brass

You coats of arms in a lot of churches but this one is unusual 

Above a family memorial  with coat of arms

and skull & crossbones at the base

Over on the South chapel you can see lots of family memorials

The are all from the same family

in the end of the chapel now used as a vestry are some tombs

and this mug on the table along with another memorial

You can see the roll of honour for Shirburn in the church as well

The North transept

closer shot of the inside

Part of the North chapel has now got the organ in it

Nice as it is I always think they look out of place. Right the choir  stalls and prayer desk

Outside for a quick walk around the churchyard

As it was shaded there was still frost on the ground

Though most of the headstones are suffering from neglect now even the memorial in the wall suffer

Near the East end of the church

Looking over to the South side and what looks like a row of family graves

Ivy covering headstones

Moss growing on others

Above a double headstone with moss and lichen


Left the Family group of crosses

Headstones and a family vault

Overgrown with grass and moss covered headstones

Snowdrops were everywhere

covering the churchyard

With that I will leave you with this view of the church and wish you a great May Bank Holiday Weekend