St. Peter's Church, Alvescot

Ambrosden church

The parish church of Saint Peter dates from the 13th century and is cruciform in shape. The Perpendicular Gothic bell tower added in the 15th Century has a ring of six bells. Abraham II Rudhall of Gloucester cast the tenor, second and fifth bells in 1727. Robert and James Wells of Aldbourne, Wiltshire cast the fourth bell in 1796. George Mears of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry cast the third bell in 1859. The Whitechapel Bell Foundry also cast the treble bell in 1985.

The church is built of coursed limestone rubble with a Cotswold slate roof and was subject to major renovation in the 19th century when the roof was raised, a vestry built, pews inserted and some window glass replaced.

The carved stone font dates from 13th century; the altar stone is 14th Century. There are two large clear windows with diamond shaped panes, and four lovely stained glass windows, two of which in the south transept were designed by Burne-Jones. They depict the Three Graces, Christ the Sower and Ruth the Reaper. In the north transept is a window set in a small lancet window depicting the virgin and child. Above the altar is a large stained glass window depicting the Resurrection. Other interesting features are medieval carved head corbels, a brass wall memorial dated 1579, and in the north wall of the chancel a low level window with a book rest set into the wall.

The south end of the south chapel was rebuilt in the late 16th or early 17th century, with a plain three-light window and a high, moulded plinth, work possibly associated with repairs to lead, glass, windows and walls financed by a church rate in 1631.The porch may also have been rebuilt. The remains of a round-headed doorway in the west wall of the north transept may be associated with its use by the Turfrey family, who in the 1620s claimed it as virtually a private chapel, 

prompting disputes after pews were erected there for the lord's servants. The claim was apparently overturned after it was proven that all parishioners shared in its upkeep. Family pews were noted also in the south transept, and a west gallery mentioned in 1866 was perhaps of 17th-century origin. Repairs to the chancel were mentioned c. 1728, and to the roof in 1807. A 'thorough repair' in 1811 perhaps involved major alterations to the chancel, said in 1823 to have been 'rebuilt not many years since': in the mid 19th century there was no east window and the chancel had no visible medieval features, two segmental-headed sash windows in its south wall flanking a modern central doorway.

Historical information about St. Peter's Church is provided by the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust and Victoria County History.

St. Peter's Church is a Grade II* listed building. For more information about the listing see CHURCH OF ST PETER, Alvescot - 1198102 | Historic England.