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Inside St Mary's Church, Bampton
Inside all apart from the chancel is scraped and until Ewan Christian was let loose here 1867-9 there was a 15th century clerestory on the nave. The low crossing really splits off the chancel from the nave, and indeed the altar for usual services is sited here. The east arch is ancient and sited under an Early English three stepped arch; ancient too is the base of the stair turret which almost blocks the east end of the north aisle: and there are traces of blocked arches or windows in both transepts. The south transept has an unusually small Perpendicular south window, the north much more normal. In the south transept also is the beautiful Gothick organ case of c1840. In contrast the north transept has chapels to the east side. The chancel seems rebuilt but has interesting features possibly reset - the corbel table outside looks a 19th century invention, certainly on the north where everything is crisply and regularly carved, but the south may be in part original. Most notable is the reredos, Christ flanked by the apostles six per side. Below are two arched aumbries or shrines low down behind the altar. A large floor to ceiling Easter Sepulchre on the north side of the sanctuary, late Perpendicular, and triple sedilia and piscina with good head corbels and detailing on the south side. Against the crossing arch are return stalls, two seats each with misericords. Brasses are set in the chancel floor, monuments in both transepts, an ornate Norman doorway .........and so the list goes on. Come here and see it if you can for yourself. I cannot believe that anyone would go away dissatisfied! (Commentary provided by Phil Draper) |
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© Copyright Phil Draper, GENUKI and Contributors 2000-2007, &c.
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Image contributed by Phil Draper on 8th November 2006.
URL of this page: http://www.wishful-thinking.org.uk/genuki/OXF/Bampton/StMary2.html
[Created 9 Nov 2006. Last updated 21 Dec 2007 - 17:36 by Rosemary Lockie]