• Home
• Cherwell
  • List of villages
  • Recommended villages to visit in Cherwell
  • Photography dates
• South Oxfordshire
  • List of villages
  • Thames-side villages
  • The Oxfordshire Chilterns
  • Recommended villages to visit in South Oxfordshire
  • Photography dates
• Vale of White Horse
  • List of villages
  • Thames-side villages
  • Recommended villages to visit in Vale of White Horse
  • Photography dates
• West Oxfordshire
  • List of villages
  • Recommended villages to visit in West Oxfordshire
  • Photography dates
• Information
  • Useful links
  • "Midsomer Murders" film locations
  • Link your website to Oxfordshire Villages
  • Weather forecast and traffic
  • Licenses and acknowledgements
  • Contact me

The Church of St. John the Baptist in Bodicote has existed since at least the 13th century and was largely rebuilt in 1843-4. It comprises a chancel, nave of 3 bays, aisles, and a western tower. The earliest surviving feature is the chancel arch, which dates from the early 13th century. The building was much altered at later dates: the chancel was rebuilt in the 14th century and the aisles were also probably added then. The chancel roof had once been steeply pitched but was subsequently lowered, but traces of the former level remained on the east face of the tower. An embattled tower was added in the 15th century. It stood on the north side of the nave in the middle of the north aisle. A medieval rood-loft survived until 1843. 

In 1766 a west gallery was built for the singers. In 1809 a new roof and in 1812 a clerk's seat and a pulpit were provided. In 1837 the chancel was repaired and tracery which had been taken out of the windows in the 18th century was again put in the east window.  The rapidly increasing population led to an enlargement in 1843–4. The medieval tower was removed, and a new tower was built at the west end of the nave. The north aisle was rebuilt, and the whole church was much altered and re-seated. Further changes followed: in 1866 a north porch was added, and in 1878 the organ was moved from the west end to the chancel, new seats were placed in the chancel, a new pulpit was built, and a new vestry was made at the base of the tower. A new organ was given in 1914. 

There is a medieval font and a 17th-century wooden eagle lectern. There were once 3 bells, but in 1843 5 new bells were cast. The saunce bell was originally cast in 1624. 

Historical information about the Church of St. John the Baptist is provided by British History Online. 'Bloxham hundred', in A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 9, Bloxham Hundred, ed. Mary D Lobel and Alan Crossley (London, 1969), pp. 1-4. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/oxon/vol9/pp1-4 [accessed 12 January 2023].

The Church of St. John the Baptist is listed Grade II*. for more informationabout the listing see CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, Bodicote - 1277948 | Historic England.

For more information about the Church of St. John the Baptist see Parishes: Adderbury | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk).