Church of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Souldern
Church of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary | ||
---|---|---|
Style Norman, Decorated Gothic and Perpendicular Gothic | | |
Years built | circa 12th - 16th centuries | |
Administration | ||
Province | Canterbury | |
Diocese | Oxford | |
Archdeaconry | Oxford | |
Deanery | Bicester & Islip | |
Parish | Souldern, Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary | |
Clergy | ||
Rector | Rev Helen Barnes |
The Parish Church of the
History
The church's origins are unknown, but the earliest known record of it is from 1161.[1] Its oldest parts are the 12th century Norman tower, north wall of the nave and north doorway.[1] The south aisle is of three bays and was originally a Norman addition made before the end of the 12th century.[1]
The original
Early in the 14th century the south aisle was rebuilt on a larger scale in the Decorated Gothic style.[1][2] The two Norman columns from the aisle's arcade were re-used to support three new pointed arches.[1] A Norman capital turned upside-down now serves as the base of one of the columns. Decorated Gothic windows were added into the old north wall of the nave as well.[2]
Late in the 15th or early in the 16th century the Perpendicular Gothic[2] clerestory was added to the nave.[1]
Early in the 18th century St. Mary's was reported to be in good condition, but by 1775 the chancel was ruinous and its roof had fallen in.[1] The Rector had the chancel demolished and a much smaller, low-roofed one built in its stead.[1] A west gallery was added in 1815 and removed in 1878.[1] In 1896-97 the Gothic Revival architect Ninian Comper rebuilt the chancel,[3] possibly working with his partner William Bucknall.[1] In 1906 G.F. Bodley dismantled and rebuilt the Norman tower and tower arch.[3]
Bells
By 1552 the
Advowson
By 1161 Jordan de Say, who owned the
Sir Hugh Throckmorton held the advowson by 1571, and in 1572 he sold it to George Throckmorton of
Benefice
The Church of the Annunciation is now a member of the Cherwell Valley Benefice along with the parishes of Ardley, Fritwell, Lower Heyford and Upper Heyford.[6]
Vicarage
The Church of the Annunciation had a
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Lobel 1959, pp. 301–312.
- ^ a b c d Sherwood & Pevsner 1974, p. 768.
- ^ a b Sherwood & Pevsner 1974, p. 769.
- ^ a b c "Towers: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church Souldern". Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers, Bicester Branch. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
- ^ a b c Baldwin, John (22 February 2005). "Souldern S Mary V". Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ "Cherwell Valley Benefice: Souldern, Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary". Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
- ^ "A Parsonage In Oxfordshire, Poem by William Wordsworth on PoemHunter".
Sources
- Lobel, Mary D, ed. (1959). A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 6. Victoria County History. pp. 301–312.
- Sherwood, Jennifer; ISBN 0-14-071045-0.