St Mary's Church, Bampton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Bampton |
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| Church of Saint Mary the Virgin | |
View from the southeast
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 St Mary's Church, Bampton
Location in Oxfordshire
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| 51°43′40″N 1°32′56″W / 51.72778°N 1.54889°W | |
| OS grid reference | SP31260332 |
| Location | Bampton, Oxfordshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 10th or 11th century |
| Dedication | Saint Mary the Virgin |
| Consecrated | 1062 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 12 September 1955 |
| Architect(s) | Ewan Christian (restoration, 1868–70) |
| Architectural type | cruciform |
| Style | Anglo-Saxon, Norman, Gothic, Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 10th–16th centuries |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | 1 |
| Materials | Cotswold stone, Stonesfield slate (nave and chancel roofs), lead (other roofs) |
| Bells | 8 |
| Tenor bell weight | 23 long tons 0 cwt 4 qr (51,630 lb or 23.42 t) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Bampton with Clanfield |
| Deanery | Witney |
| Archdeaconry | Dorchester |
| Episcopal area | Dorchester |
| Diocese | Diocese of Oxford |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is a historic church in Bampton, Oxfordshire, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church is very old, dating back to the 10th or 11th century.
It started as an Anglo-Saxon church with a tower. In the 12th century, it was rebuilt in the Norman style. Later, in the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries, more parts were added in the Gothic style. The church is considered a very important historical building, listed as Grade I.
Contents
The Church's History
Early Anglo-Saxon Church
The first church here was an important minster. It served a large area during the Anglo-Saxon period. You can still see parts of this original building. Look for the special "herringbone" pattern in the stone walls. This pattern is found in the central tower and its stair turret.
A saint named Beornwald was honored here. People in Bampton respected him as their patron saint. This tradition goes back to at least the 9th century. His special day was December 21. We don't know much about Beornwald. His tomb is now lost. Some think his shrine might have been in the north part of the church.
Norman Changes
After the Norman Conquest of England, the church was given to Bishop Leofric of Exeter. The church in Exeter has been connected to Bampton ever since.
In the 12th century, the church was rebuilt. It was designed in a cross shape. This means it had a main section and two side wings. You can still see parts from this time. These include an arch under the tower and a Norman doorway. There are also some Norman windows in the side wings.
Gothic Additions and Expansions
The church grew bigger in the late 13th century. Side sections, called aisles, were added to the main part of the church. These additions were made in the Gothic style. Other Gothic features from this time include special seats in the chancel (the area around the altar).
In the early 14th century, a beautiful stone carving was added. It shows Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles. Each figure is in its own decorated space. The main entrance at the west end of the church is also from this period. So is the bottom part of the baptismal font.
Later in the 14th century, another chapel was built. It was placed on the north side of the chancel.
In the 15th century, more changes happened. Upper windows, called clerestories, were added. The roofs of the side aisles were replaced. A special Easter Sepulchre was put in the chancel. The south porch, with its castle-like top, was also built. Stone railings and gargoyles were added to the roof edges.
Later Architecture and Restoration
A special chapel for the Horde family is in the church. It holds monuments from the 17th century. This chapel was updated in 1702.
From 1868 to 1870, the church was restored. This work was led by architect Ewan Christian. The roofs of the main part and the chancel were replaced. New windows in the Gothic Revival style were put in. The large east window in the chancel was also repaired.
Memorials and Burials
The church has several old monuments. In the south wing, there is a stone statue of a lady. In the north chapel, there is a stone statue of a knight. People say it is Sir Gilbert Talbot, who died in 1419. On a wall in the south wing, there is a monument to George Thompson, who died in 1603. It shows him lying down, with columns on either side.
In the chancel, there are three special brass plaques. These are for Thomas Plymmyswode (died around 1419), Robert Holcot (died in 1500), and Frances Gardner (died in 1633).
Bells, Clock, and Chimes
The church tower has a set of eight bells. Three of these bells were made in 1629. The other five were made or remade in 1906. There is also a smaller Sanctus bell from 1626. All the bells were repaired and rehung in 2006.
In 1733, the church paid a blacksmith to make a new clock. This clock also had a chime system. It would play a tune on the eight bells at 9 AM, 1 PM, 5 PM, and 9 PM.
The old clock has since been replaced. The chime system stopped working for a long time. But after the bells were rehung, a new computer-controlled chime was installed. It now plays a tune at 1 PM and 5 PM.
The Rectory: Churchgate House
South of St Mary's Church is Churchgate House. This building used to be the Rectory, where the church's priest lived. The oldest part of the house is from the 16th century. A stone on the building says "1546 Vicar Joan Dotin." In 1799, a new front section was added. This part was built in the Georgian style.
Images for kids
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View from the southeast
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Postcard of St Mary's, photographed by Fred Palmer in 1931
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Churchgate House, the former Rectory
