St. Leonard's Church, Woodcote
The chapel of St. Leonard at Woodcote was almost entirely rebuilt in 1845–6. The first documentary evidence for the existence of this chapel dates from the 15th century, but drawings of the old chapel suggest that it was of 12th-century origin. It consisted of nave, apsidal chancel, south porch, and western wooden bell-cot. Little was probably done to the church in the post-Reformation period. In 1666 the chancel was evidently in need of repair; the date 1692 and the name of the churchwarden once painted on the wall probably indicated some work on the church; and in 1759 the archdeacon ordered several things to be done, including mending the porch door, repairing the reading desk and pulpit, buying a new Bible, and having the Ten Commandments and 'chosen sentences' written. In 1845–6 the Vicar of South Stoke, Philip H. Nind, who lived at Woodcote, had the chapel almost completely rebuilt in the Norman style at a cost of £1,300. The architect was H. J. Underwood of Oxford. The new building, which is 20 feet longer than the old one, consists, as did the latter, of chancel, nave, south porch, and stone western bellcot, with the addition of a north vestry. The outside walls of the chancel were retained; the ancient flintwork in its walls is clearly to be distinguished from the new work in those of the body of the church. The old window was blocked up and four new windows and a priest's door inserted. The interior of the church was completely renewed. A gallery was built. Above the communion table the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments were inscribed, and texts were painted elsewhere by Mr. Margetts of Oxford. The gallery remains but the church is now plastered over inside. In 1937 a new communion table, given in memory of H. G. Nind, the vicar, was dedicated. In 1953 about £230 was spent on repairs. There are three stained glass windows in the chancel by Powell & Sons of Whitefriars in memory of Emily Nind (d. 1902), the vicar's wife, and in the aisle there are memorial windows to Emma Nind (d. 1850) and members of the Ferguson family. In 1872 glazed doors were put in the porch by W. H. Ferguson, a churchwarden. In 1953 they were reglazed to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Rawlinson noted in 1718 that the chapel contained neither 'monument nor grave stone'. When Grace Stanyan of Woodcote House died in 1768 she was buried in the chancel, but two years later her body was moved to the family vault at Checkendon. There are now brass inscriptions to two vicars: Philip H. Nind (d. 1886) and his wife Agnes; and Hubert G. Nind (d. 1936). The old font (14½ in. in diameter), which is no longer used, is outside the porch door. In 1552 the chapel owned a silver chalice and paten. In 1958 the plate consisted of a silver chalice, paten, and almsplate, all of 1845. There were two bells in 1552, but the present turret has room only for one. It was made by James Wells of Aldbourne in 1801. The registers date from 1846. Until then Woodcote was included in the South Stoke registers. Historical information about St. Leonard's Church is provided by 'Parishes: South Stoke', in A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 7, Dorchester and Thame Hundreds, ed. Mary Lobel (London, 1962), pp. 93-112. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/oxon/vol7/pp93-112 [accessed 20 March 2023]. St. Leonard's Church is a Grade II listed building. For more information about the listing see CHURCH OF ST LEONARD, Woodcote - 1059502 | Historic England. For more information about St. Leonard's Church see Parishes: South Stoke | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk). |
