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Posted: 28 Mar 2019

Taken: 02 Nov 2009

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St Mary's, Lower Heyford

St Mary's, Lower Heyford
Lower Heyford, Oxfordshire
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 Isisbridge
Isisbridge club
Britain Express - Lower Hetford
www.britainexpress.com/counties/oxfordshire/churches/lower-heyford.htm

Lower Heyford is a pretty village about 12 miles north of Oxford, rising up a hillside above the River Cherwell. The attractive little church of St Mary's is at the bottom of the village, past several thatched cottages and a pub of golden-coloured stone.

The first church at Lower Heyford was consecrated by Wulfwig, Bishop of Dorchester (1053–67), but nothing of that Saxon building remains. Half the church at Lower Heyford was granted to Eynsham Abbey in the 12th century, and the other half was held by the lords of Henred Manor, which meant that there were two rectors, each with his own rectory, and the parish income was split between them, so both were poor.

This absurd state of affairs rumbled on until 1453, after which the abbot and De la Mere family presented the rector in turn. After the abbey was dissolved in the Reformation, the crown took its half of the living and immediately sold it at a profit.

Eventually, the living ended up with Corpus Christi College, Oxford. The most notorious rector was perhaps Thomas Greenway (1563–71), a Fellow of Corpus Christi who was accused of embezzling college funds and consorting with 'infamous women'.

The oldest part of the church is the chancel, built sometime before 1220. The chancel was rebuilt in the 14th century when the timber roof was crafted, and a large east window in Decorated Gothic style was inserted. Look up at the roof and you will see several rather amusing bosses in the shape of peculiar faces.

St Mary's. Lower Heyford
7 years ago. Edited 3 years ago.

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