All Saints' Sutton Courtenay

History

(with acknowledgement to Jane Sherwood: A Guide to the Churches of Oxfordshire)

The earliest part of the present building is mid-12th century, usually known as late Norman. The most substantial remains are visible in the lower tower where the stonework is random and distinct from the top storey, added about a hundred years later. In the lower courses the zig-zag mouldings are still visible round the windows. The carved capitals on the chancel shafts are also Late Norman. The font is similar to Norman fonts found in the Winchester region, and a few mediaeval encaustic tiles remain at its base.

A further building stage extended and lightened the church. Between about 1310 and 1325 the chancel was enlarged, the present chancel arch was formed, and a wagon-shaped roof provided. A fine Decorated window was inserted in the chancel south wall, and an Easter sepulchre in its north wall. This was used for the reception of the consecrated Host on Maundy Thursday, where it remained until Easter Day. This arched recess now contains a stone effigy of a monk-like figure, believed to be Reginald Nutt, the vicar in 1495.

The original nave would have been narrower, with small windows. It is interesting that the masons doing the work on the chancel and nave appears to have re-used the stones of the old chancel arch in the eastern arcade of the nave, reset into a Gothic shape. The roofs of the new aisles were lower than at present, and the original roofline can be seen on the outside stonework at the east end of the north aisle.

The final phase of building occurred at the end of the 15th century, when the aisle roofs were raised to allow for the insertion of the large Perpendicular windows, the nave roof was raised and the clerestory windows inserted. The two Perpendicular windows in the chancel were also constructed at this time.

Around 1500, the brick porch on the south side of the church was built in memory of Thomas Beckington. Above the doorway is a rebus depicting a beacon and a tun (from Bekynton, or Beacontun). Above the porch is a small room, reached by a stone stairway in the south aisle. From at least 1700 to 1720 it was used as a schoolroom, judging by the carved dates and initials above the fireplace.

In 1643, during the Civil War, the Vicar, one Thomas Fitch, was a Parliamentarian and bitterly opposed to King Charles I, whose royalist forces were garrisoned in Oxford. Presumably planning to take part in any local skirmish, he stored gunpowder and munitions in the church. When these unfortunately exploded, the east window was blown out and there was considerable damage to the tower. Fitch was dismissed under provisions for ‘The Ejection of Scandalous Ministers’! Following the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, a large wall painting of Charles II’s Royal Arms was executed above the chancel arch, showing loyalty to the new king – and flanked with the Ten Commandments.

There are two other 17th century wall paintings. One is at the west end of the south aisle, depicting ‘six poor widows’ who were granted an allowance of bread, meat and a gown under the bequest of one William Andrews. The other, over the tower arch, commemorates Edmund Bradstock, who in his will of 1607 made provision for the poor of the parish, and for the education of children. More than four hundred year later, the trustees of Edmund Bradstock’s charity continue to award grants.

There are three stalls in the chancel including misericords, which are probably early 16th century. Above them are the remains of some good mediaeval glass, arranged at random. There is also some ancient glass in the north and south aisles.

The 17th century pews have been replaced, though there is a remnant of one of them behind the altar in the Lady chapel. The wineglass pulpit is 17th century, and was given to the church in 1901.

The two-manual tracker organ with registration in baroque style was given to the church in 1904. Other more recent additions include the 19th century memorial glass in the north and south aisles, and the 1912 memorial glass in the east window. The vestry to the north side of the church was built in 1961.

There were four bells in the tower in 1552, and six until 1986. There are now eight, ranging in weight from 3 to 12 hundredweight, and tuned to F major. Richard Keene of Woodstock cast the sixth and seventh bells in 1672, Thomas Swain of Longford, Middlesex, cast the third bells in 1787. In 1829 Robert Taylor cast the fifth bell at his Oxford foundry in 1829. Mears and Stainbank of Whitechapel recast the tenor bell in 1965. Then the Whitchapel Bell Foundry cast the present treble and second bells in 1986.

Contacts

The Revd Helen Kendrick – (DAMASCUS Parish Rector) 01235 848297 Send Mail

Mrs Alison Budd – (Sutton Courtenay Pro-Warden) 01235 527853

Dr Tim Budd – (Licensed Lay Minister) 01235 527853

Mrs Alex Landsbert – (Licensed Lay Minister) 01235 847443

John Napper – (Tower Captain) 01235 846292