All Saints’ Church

Oving with Pitchcott

History

The Parish Church of All Saints' Oving

The name of Oving comes from the old English Ufingas, means Ufa's or possibly Offa's people. All Saint’s is a typical small village church and has served the people of Oving for about 800 years.

Parts of the present church can be traced back to the 13th century but there was almost certainly an earlier building. The church is built of stone rubble with ashlar dressings.

The chancel was built (or more probably rebuilt) in the early part if the 13th century, since it is out of line with the nave. The nave is also probably early 13th century. The north and south aisles were added in about 1280 and each originally had two bays.

During the 15th century the arcade walls were heightened, the steep pitched roof taken down and a clerestory built with windows to provide added top light beneath a flat pitched roof.

Sometime in the first half of the 16th century, the west tower was built, however it is likely that an earlier structure already existed.

In the 16th or 17th century the north aisle was destroyed; local tradition lays blame on Cromwell's troopers who reputedly watered their horses at the nearby horse well or "hoss'ell".

In 1657 the clerestory and nave roof were repaired. The south porch was restored in 1777. The church was generally and somewhat drastically restored in 1866 and again in 1922. The tower was restored in 1887 when the bells were re hung.

An architectural tour of the Church

Entering by the south porch which was built about 1330 and restored in 1717, the moulded outer arch is original but the jambs are restored. The wire mesh doors were added in 1899.

The south door is of oak and hangs on old wrought iron strap hinges and is probably 15th century. The lock is 'Victorian Gothic' fixed in 1867.

On entering the church, immediately left in the west end of the south aisle is a 19th century window set beneath an earlier lintel (probably 16th century). Known as the Baptistry window, it was unveiled on 23rd May 1889 by eight year old Harriet Elmer. On the west wall hangs a table of the rectors of Oving since 1241.

Nearby stands the font; a plain tapering vessel with a deep rounded bowl, probably 13th century. The ewer is dated Christmas 1901.

At the western end of the nave the tower arch is probably 13th century. In the south east corner of the tower is a stair turret, very narrow and leading to the bell and clock chambers. The west doorway and the window above were renewed in 1896.

Looking towards the altar at the south end, on the left of north side of the nave the remains of the arcade which once led into the north aisle can be seen. This remained bricked up until 1867 when it was uncovered, opened up and serves as the entrance to the modern vestry. The blocked north doorway is probably 13th century. It remained open leading to a simple porch or chamber until 1867 when it was bricked up at a cost of 12/6 (62½P).

Further west is a 14th century window. The glass commemorates the Honourable Catherine Caulfield Pratt, a village benefactress who died in 1894.

The low pitched roof of the nave has a clerestory of late 15th century. Prior to 1847 there were three small clerestory windows on the north side and others on the south side.

The roof is divided into three bays. It has four trusses with heavy tie beams. In 1657 braces were added below the tie beams, resting on wooden corbels. The date can be seen on the second northern brace.

The remaining bay of the 13th century north arcade contains a pointed arch. The pillar is octagonal with moulded capital and base. The additional moulding on these capitals compared with those of the south arcade indicates recent work probably during 1867 when they were uncovered.

Across the church is the rood screen set in the chancel arch. Largely 15th century with some restoration, it has a centre doorway. On either side are three bays with cinquefoiled ogee heads and tracery moulded mullions and top rail. Remains of red and blue or green colouring can be seen. The cornice is 19th century. Above the rood screen would have been the loft from which the preacher could look down on his flock. No reference can be found of the date of its removal.

The chancel arch is probably 13th century. The square jambs of rough stone showing irregular tooling are probably of later date and possibly altered when the screen was inserted. The whole arch has the appearance of being rebuilt rather crudely from unmatched material.

The chancel can be seen to be deflected towards the south. It is of 13th century origin, but was drastically restored in the 19th century - the roof, east and south walls being completely rebuilt.

The east window behind the altar is composed of three lancets of 13th century internal stonework restored externally. The north and south walls each have two single lancets believed to be 13th century. All the glass is Victorian.

Behind the altar of Devonshire marble is an alabaster reredos flanked by encoustic tiles, all Victorian.

Returning to the nave in the north east corner is the octagon shaped 19th century Ancaster stone pulpit, the work of a Mr. Thompson of Aylesbury.

On the east wall south of the chancel arch there remains a portion of original plaster wall-covering with traces of a painting in red or brown. It portrays Christ seated in all His glory. Surrounding and touching Him were the implements of the various trades; the lesson being that he who uses the tools of his trade upon the Sabbath injures the body of Christ. The date is probably 15th century.

Above can be seen the entrance and two small steps which led to the rood loft. Probably a wooden stair or ladder led up from the south aisle.

Behind the organ is the east window of about 1330. The glass commemorates the Jubilee of H.M. Queen Victoria and was given by the rector in 1887. This small chapel now housing the organ was reputedly added later to the south aisle, but little structural differences can be seen.

In the south wall of the aisle is a piscina. Above is a typical 16th century window.

Further west is a large tomb recess, probably mid 14th century. At a later date a small light has been cut in the apex, the stained glass depicting an angel with a trumpet.

The centre window is again 16th century. The glass commemorates 60 years of H.M. Queen Victoria's reign.

Returning to the south door, to the east of the doorway is a holy water stoup, probably 14th century. On the nearby pillar can be seen the so-called 'crusaders crosses'. Above a beam bears the date 1800.

The Bells

There are only three bells and a Sanctus. The oldest is dated 1617 and was made by Robert Atton whose foundry was at Buckingham. The second and third are dated 1627 and were cast by James Keene who moved his foundry from Bedford to Woodstock in about 1622. The Saunce or Sanctus dated 1854 is by Charles and George Mears who had foundries at Gloucester and later in Whitechapel.

Records show however that in 1552 there were 'three great bells and a Sanctus' so that this could well be a second set. All the bells were re-hung in 1887 to commemorate H.M. Queen Victoria's Jubilee. See the Church's Bells page for more information.