St John the Baptist, Inglesham

A short lane from the main road leads to this exquisitely beautiful and fascinating church, set on a slight mound just above the surrounding water meadows and close to the Thames. The church’s remote site protected it from the heavy hands of Victorian restorers. William Morris, who lived nearby at Kelmscott, recognising its uniquely unspoilt character, oversaw a modest campaign of repairs in 188889 and guarded against additions to the 13th century building. An intriguing series of wall paintings cover most of the walls. These date from the 13th to the early 19th centuries, often with one painted over another, in places seven layers thick. While it is not always easy to puzzle out the subjects, you can see 15th century angels above the chancel arch, an early 14th century doom on the east wall of the north aisle, and several 19th century texts, as well as a 13th century masonry pattern throughout the chancel. Of Saxon origin, most of the building dates from the 13th century, and little has changed since the early 16th century. The unusual and powerful carving in the south wall of the Mother and Child blessed by the hand of God is certainly Saxon. Until 1910 it was on the outside of the south wall, used as a sundial, and its original position in the church is not known. The woodwork of the roofs, the 15th century screens and the 17th and 18th century pulpit and box pews are all original to the church, and their arrangement is still much as it would have been in Oliver Cromwell’s time.

Please note that due to a wallpaintings conservation project taking place this church will be closed until 12  September 2010. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.