Holy Trinity Church, Over Worton

Holy Trinity Church in Over Worton, almost completely rebuilt in the mid 19th century, comprises nave, chancel, south aisle, south porch, and a large northern tower of which the lower stage forms a vestry. The medieval church seems to have been similar in plan, except that the chancel was narrower and the tower stood at the west end of a possibly shorter nave. The Decorated south aisle windows may incorporate medieval work, although the aisle windows before restoration were square-headed. The chancel, which earlier had 14th-century windows, was entirely rebuilt in the Early English style. The medieval church was repaired at considerable expense in 1804 and 1819, and was reported to be sound in 1834. In 1844, however, rebuilding began under the supervision of J. M. Derick and at the expense of the Revd. William Wilson. The tower was built in 1849; a plan to surmount it with a spire was apparently given up by Mrs. Wilson because of the cost. Her payment for a new tower roof in 1858 may represent the final abandonment of the plan; unfilled scaffolding holes remain in the walls.

An effigy of an Elizabethan lawyer in the south aisle probably represents Edmund Meese (d. 1617), whose memorial tablet is on the west wall. The porch contains memorials to several members of the Wilson family. The stained glass in the chancel by C. Clutterbuck attracted contemporary criticism. The brass chandelier in the chancel was given by Horatio Fitzroy, lessee of Over Worton House, in 1860. The font is Victorian, an earlier, 12th-century, font was removed to Hempton. The plate includes a chalice of 1573 and paten covers of 1573 and 1680. The two bells are modern. 

A holding of 2¼ a. called the Church Lands was used by the churchwardens for church repairs; at inclosure in 1642 land in Berry field was allotted, and held by Robert Meese in trust for the church, he and his successors as lords of the manor paying c. £1 10s. a year to the churchwardens. The obligation survived into the 20th century.

Historical information about Holy Trinity Church is provided by British history Online. A P Baggs, Christina Colvin, H M Colvin, Janet Cooper, C J Day, Nesta Selwyn and A Tomkinson, 'Parishes: Over Worton', in A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 11, Wootton Hundred (Northern Part), ed. Alan Crossley (London, 1983), pp. 293-300. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/oxon/vol11/pp293-300 [accessed 22 April 2023].

Holy Trinity Church is listed Grade II For more information about the listing see CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY, Worton - 1368238 | Historic England.

For more information about Holy Trinity Church see Parishes: Over Worton | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk).