Nominal: 794 Hz Weight: 1272 lbs Diameter: 40.13" Bell 1 of 7
Founded by William Taylor 1847
Dove Bell ID: 5156 Tower ID: 13903 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Oxford: St Aldate
Diocese of Oxford
Church, 627213
Overview
Grid reference: SP 513 59
St. Aldate's is one of Oxford's oldest churches, first documented in the early C12 with archaeological evidence which has firmly established an ecclesiastical presence here by the late Saxon period. Over the medieval and early modern periods the church saw numerous alterations, although much evidence of these was removed in C19 restorations and re-orderings. The building includes a good deal of medieval fabric, and, a major parish church, it stands in a prominent town-centre position.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 822 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Although first documented in the early C12, archaeological evidence has firmly established an ecclesiastical presence here by the late Saxon period, while John Blair has suggested that it may have originated as the central of three monastic churches. Over the medieval and early modern periods the church saw numerous alterations, although much evidence of these was removed in C19 restorations and re-orderings. The church was restored in c.1815 by Daniel Evans, in 1832-43 by Henry Jones Underwood, and more extensive works, intended to double its seating, took place in the 1860s and 1870s under the evangelical rector A.M.W. Christopher who employed as architect his cousin John T. Christopher. New meeting rooms and domestic facilities were added to the west end in 1961, while in 1999-2002 a glazed entry added to the north-east corner of the church and the interior re-ordered with the removal of the pews and the installation of a stage.
Exterior Description
Coursed limestone rubble, some ashlar. Red tile roofs
Chancel with north and south aisles; nave with north and south aisles; west tower; vestry; 1961 west-end additions; 1999-2000 entry building.
East end: triple-gabled E front (S chancel aisle 1862-3; chancel as extended C15 but with window of 1862-3; N chancel aisle 1862-3). South side: chancel as extended in C15-16 with square-headed window (reworked) probably of that date; two-bay S chancel aisle of 1862-3; three-bay aisle of c.1334 extended west by two bays (with S porch) in 1862-3. West end: tower with clasping buttresses, projecting S stair turret and spire all rebuilt 1873; single-storey stone range of 1961 wraps round S, W and N of tower. North side: single-storey vestry of 1862-3 against W tower; three-bay N aisle (E bay added 1832-4) with C15 windows (easternmost reset); two-bay N chancel aisle 1862-3; C15 chancel extension with lancet; glazed entry building of 1999-2000.
Building Fabric and Features
Gable
triple-gabled east front
Chancel
15th Century earlier and later sections
Tower (component)
1873 with clasping buttresses projecting south stair turret and spire all rebuilt in 1873
Building Materials
Limestone
coursed limestone rubble
Ashlar
Interior
Interior Description
The nave is probably C12, as is the western part of the chancel. A west tower was added in the C13, and entirely rebuilt in 1873 by John T. Christopher. The eastern three bays of the S (Dockington) aisle were added c.1334; this has two-bay undercroft or crypt. The westernmost two bays added in 1862-3 by Christopher. The western two bays of N aisle (originally separate from nave) built as chantry in 1456. In the C15 or C16 the chancel was lengthened to its present extent and, in 1581 (cf. plaque at W end of aisle), the former N chantry was opened to the church with an arcade to create the N aisle. The N aisle was extended east to the full length of the nave by Underwood in 1832-43 and the N chapel here was remodelled in 1905 by A Mardon Mowbray, architect. Christopher's rebuild of 1862 also included N and S chancel aisles separated from the chancel by newly-opened two-bay arcades and with the Decorated E window of c.1334 reset between S and Chancel aisles, a vestry in the angle of tower and N aisle, new roofs for nave and aisles, new aisle arcades with columns of pink Aberdeen marble, and a new chancel arch. In 1961 single-storey stone meeting rooms and domestic facilities were built around the base of the west tower; carvings allude to Oxford life and events. In 1982 a mezzanine floor was inserted in the N chancel aisle to create a meeting room, and in 1999-2000 a glazed entry building was added off the aisle opening on to the St. Aldate's frontage.
The interior is largely open, with a stage in the south aisle. Fittings include a C14 font; screen of c.1926 designed by Miss Wybergh of Overton, Flints., to illustrate the Benedicite; an oak screen of 1929 by P.S.P. Morter of Liverpool funded by the motor-manufacturer W.R. Morris and including automobile-related devices. Monuments include alabaster effigy of John Noble Principal of Pembroke College d.1522 (in chancel), and figurative wall monument of 1695 to John West and his wife and daughter reset high in tower.
Fixtures and fittings
Crypt
1334
Chantry Chapel
1456
Chancel
15th Century chancel was lengthened at this time to its present extent
Chapel (component)
20th Century in 1906 N chapel was remodelled by Mardon Mowbray architect
Stained Glass (window)
1334 decorated east window of this time reset between S and Chancel aisles in 1862
Vestry
1862
Arcade
1862 New aisle arcades with columns of pink Aberdeen marble added at this time
Font (object)
14th Century
Screen
1926 screen of c.1926 designed by Miss Wybergh of Overton, Flints., to illustrate the Benedicite
Screen
1929 oak screen of 1929 by P.S.P. Morter of Liverpool funded by the motor-manufacturer W.R. Morris and including automobile-related devices.
Effigy
1522 Monuments include alabaster effigy of John Noble Principal of Pembroke College d.1522 (in chancel)
Brass
17th Century brasses to C17 undergraduates (reset at W end of nave)
Wall Hanging
1695 figurative wall monument of 1695 to John West and his wife and daughter reset high in tower.
Bells
Nominal: 1335 Hz Weight: 420 lbs Diameter: 26.25" Bell 2 of 7
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1873
Dove Bell ID: 34266 Tower ID: 13903 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1187 Hz Weight: 565 lbs Diameter: 28.38" Bell 3 of 7
Founded by Michael Darbie 1654
Dove Bell ID: 34267 Tower ID: 13903 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1058 Hz Weight: 656 lbs Diameter: 30.38" Bell 4 of 7
Founded by Michael Darbie 1654
Dove Bell ID: 34268 Tower ID: 13903 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 998 Hz Weight: 772 lbs Diameter: 32.75" Bell 5 of 7
Founded by Ellis I Knight 1627
Dove Bell ID: 34269 Tower ID: 13903 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 889 Hz Weight: 992 lbs Diameter: 35.88" Bell 6 of 7
Founded by Henry I Knight 1620
Dove Bell ID: 34270 Tower ID: 13903 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 119 lbs Diameter: 16.25" Bell 7 of 7
Founded by Thomas Rudhall 1780
Dove Bell ID: 34271 Tower ID: 13903 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 513 59
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Submit a change
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