← Database

St Mary

Chipping Norton

Oxfordshire

C12 foundation of which only a few fragments survive in the W wall of the nave

Architectural Features

C13 and C14 rebuilding visible in the chancel and aisles, nave of c.1485, a W tower of 1823 by John Hudson and the whole restored by E G Bruton in 1878

W tower dated 1823 on W face of 4 storeys with battering at the base, diagonal buttresses with set-offs to the 3rd stage, moulded string courses, that below the parapet with gargoyles from the original tower, and a moulded embattled parapet with crocketted corner pinnacles

Although the chancel is C13, it has been refenestrated with Decorated and Perpendicular windows

The N aisle has plain 3 and 4 light panel tracery Perpendicular windows to the N wall but its W end windows have more complex tracery and are later C17 examples of Gothic Survival

Outside the porch has diagonal buttresses with set-offs, a parapet with gargoyles and a crenellated hexagonal chimney with a bellcote between the merlons

The piers have springing shafts which support a contemporary open rafter roof with arched tie beams whose carved span- drels echo those of the arcade

On the N pier of the chancel arch are the remains of the Trinity Guild chantry: 3 crocketted niches and pedestals now transformed, with the 1878 addition of a lower reading desk, into a pulpit

The 5 from W to E have octagonal C14 piers with pointed arches of 2 chamfered orders and heads carved in the spandrels

On the S wall is a brass to Henry Cornish, died 1618, son of Henry Cornish who endowed the alms- houses

In the former Lady Chapel, E of the inner N aisle is an alabaster chest tomb to Richard Croft, died 1502 and his wife, died 1509: two complete effigies, still Gothic in line and detail, on a crocketted niched chest with angels and shields

Brasses, mostly C15, commemorating the wool merchants of the town are displayed on the N wall of the outer N aisle

The church has some good late C19 windows of stained glass, particularly the Bruern Abbey window

The font is C14, octagonal with blind traceried panels on each face

Outside the churchyard to the NE are earthworks marking the site of an Early Norman motte and bailey castle

This is scheduled Ancient Monument Oxfordshire No 40.

Photo coming soon