Description

CHARLTON ON 0TM00R HIGH STREET
SP5615 (North side)
11/9 Church of St. Mary the Virgin
07/12/66
GV I
Church. C13 and C14; restored 1857 by G.E. Street. Limestone rubble with ashlar
dressings, and coursed squared limestone with ashlar dressings; concrete
plain-tile and Welsh-slate roofs. Aisled nave, chancel, west tower and south
porch. Late C14 chancel, in squared limestone with a tiled roof, has a 4-light
reticulated east window with 2 full-height mullions, and has 2-light side
windows with flowing tracery, the third pair, at the west end, at a lower level
to act as low side windows; priest's door to south with continuous moulding.
Narrow south aisle retains a 2-light C13 east window with plate tracery, but to
south has a 2-light C14 window and a 3-light square-headed C16 window with
uncusped lights and a label. Parapet with shallow quatrefoils is probably C19.
C14 porch has an outer doorway of 2 chamfered orders and a lancet to east; it
shelters a simple double-chamfered doorway with an old plank door above which is
a C15 panel containing 3 image niches, (identical to one in the same position,
at Merton Church (q.v.)). North aisle has two C14 2-light windows and a small
rectangular opening; the north door is blocked. Clerestory has 3 C14 quatrefoil
windows plus a later window to north, and has mullioned windows to south. The
lower 3 stages of the crenellated tower are C13 but the bell-chamber stage is
C14 with 2-light arched openings; the third stage has 2-light openings with
Y-tracery, and there are lancets in the lower stages plus stepped clasping
buttresses to the bottom stage; the parapet, corner gargoyles and panelled
pinnacles are probably C16/C17. Interior: chancel has an arched tomb recess to
north and, to south, a triple sedilia and piscina with ogee tracery, combined
below a label mould with head stops; C19 panelled roof. Large Decorated chancel
arch has continuous mouldings. 4-bay late C13 nave arcades have octagonal piers
and round capitals, more elaborately moulded to south, which carry arches of 2
chamfered orders; tower arch of 2 unchamfered orders is early C13. 4-bay C14
nave roof has cusped arched bracing above the tie beams, between queen- and
king-posts; late medieval north aisle roof has cambered tie beams. Both aisles
have simple piscinas. Traces of wall paintings survive on the north wall and
over the rood screen, as well as extensive painted decoration on the nave
arcades plus 2 consecration crosses in the chancel. Fragments of medieval
stained glass remain in the chancel tracery lights. Fittings include a tub font
with a C16 oak cover, C16/C17 bench pews in the aisles, a simple pedestal pulpit
dated 1616, and fine late C17 communion rails carved with ancathus scrolls and
cherubs heads. The notable early C16 rood screen is complete with loft, and has
an open arcade of decorated columns supporting traceried arches; the deep coving
to the loft has a richly-carved pattern of intersecting ribs with ornamental
panels and it supports a frieze of vines; the lower section and double gates
have linenfold panelling. 2 broad steps in the sanctuary have medieval encaustic
tiles laid in geometrical patterns. Monuments include wall tablets to Adam Airay
(died 1658) and Katherine Lamplugh (died 1671), both with scrolled pediments,
and a large marble wall monument with Corinthiarn columns, to Robert Benn (died
1752); brass to Thomas Key (died 1476).
(V.C.H.: Oxfordshire, Vol.Vl, pp.90-91; Buildings of England: 0xfordshire,
pp.529-30).

Listing NGR: SP5619415827

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17528249

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

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