Country Churches

103. St Mary’s Winchfield

This 12th century church built by the monks of Chertsey Abbey stands in a fairly isolated position away from the village some four miles north of Odiham. The large tower is original with five foot thick walls but the belfrey above with its imitation Norman windows was added during the Victorian restoration of 1849. It contains three bells. The Tenor, inscribed ‘Sancta Margrata ora pro nobis’ dates from 1440 whilst the Treble was made by Henry Knight in 1617.

The entrance porch was added in the 15th century though the door is decorated with Norman style carvings. The interior is dominated by the magnificent Chancel arch comprising of a series of semi-circular arches carved with dogs tooth and other Norman ornamentation. It is the finest feature of the church. The pulpit alongside is dated 1634 and has six finely carved black panels. Nearby is one of the original oak panels probably 500 years old.

Two large squints look into the rather gloomy chancel. On the floor on one side is the ancient oak parish chest fitted with three different locks to ensure the safe keeping of the parish records. The altar rails are Jacobean but the small lancet comprising the east window is Victorian. It shows Christ on the Cross with two women mourning below. The north and south walls each contain two similar sized windows. One shows a Nativity scene but more interesting is a modern memorial window to Stella Charrington of Winchford House who died in 1978. Designed and engraved by Lawrence Whistler the plain glass is engraved with the house, a tree of life and a cluster of stars representing Mrs Charrington’s Christian name ­Stella.

The west end is dominated by a large organ over the door. Underneath is a fine 1914-18 memorial to the men of the village. The north aisle, added in 1849, is full of interesting memorials. A floor brass commemorates Frances Rudyerd, wife of Benjamin, who had six children before dying in 1652 aged 27 leaving ‘2 sonnes and 1 daughter... The other 3 are dead before their mother.’ A sad reflection on 17th century mortality rates. Another brass has an unexpected link to the Civil War. It relates to Frances, Lady Jervoise who was the daughter of Thomas Jay of Middlesex and ‘Commissionary General to the whole cavalry of Charles I throughout the whole Civil War. Frances died in 1679. A later 18th century memorial to John Rudyerd who died in 1723 aged 47, adds that his three children, Elizabeth, James and Bridget all died between the ages of 26 and 31. There are also numerous 19th century memorials to the Beauclerk family.

On the south wall of the nave near the door is a well designed modern memorial to Brigadier Harold Vincent Spencer Charrington of the 12 Royal Lancers (1886-1965). His numerous decorations are listed including the D.S.O., M.C. And Croix de Guerre. Presumably the Whistler glass in the chancel relates to his wife.

The font with its octagonal top has an original Norman basin. In the south west corner hangs a small painting of the church.

John Symonds