St Bartholomew's, Aldsworth
Opening Hours |
24 |
Capacity |
100 |
Heating |
Yes |
Parking |
Yes |
Toilets |
None |
Accessibility |
There is a hill to the church , a few parking places at the top very near the church |
Hearing Loop |
No |
Microphone/audio facilities |
No |
Wifi/internet |
No |
Bells and bell teams |
Yes 3 bells only no teams needed |
Organ |
Yes |
About St Bartholemew's
St Bartholomew’s, Aldsworth is a late Norman church with an unusual octagonal spire, and grotesque figures carved beneath the parapet. It is remarkable in that it has both Norman and Perpendicular elements, and a spire, which is unusual in the Cotswolds.
The North Porch is interesting with a semi-circular arch and a door dated 1636. Inside it has a niche in its east wall which is a distinctive feature not seen elsewhere and is medieval late Perpendicular, with a stone rib vault, a holy water stoup and an altar niche with pierced stone cresset to hold candles and a narrow flue for smoke. These porches were described as, "Poor Man's Chantries" and marriage contracts were made in them before the couples went into the main church for the nuptial mass. The inner door in a Transitional Norman arch has its original ironwork, including C-shaped hinges.
At one time the church was part of the possessions of the Abbey of St Peter, Gloucester, but was handed over to Osney Abbey, Oxford and came into the hands of Henry VIII in 1539. When the Abbey was dissolved in 1546 the possessions of Osney, including Aldswordth, were granted as an endowment to Christ Church, Oxford. The earliest lease of Aldsworth in the archive dates from then Followiing this, the rectory and manor were leased by the Dean of the Cathedral of Christ Church to John Blomer of Heythrop for 70 years at a rent of £13 13s 4d.
There was no vcarage at Aldsworth until 1907 and the vicar used to ride all the way from Oxford to take the Sunday services. The churchardens used to climb the belfry and ring the bells when he came into sight, to summon the parishioners.
There was no vcarage at Aldsworth until 1907 and the vicar used to ride all the way from Oxford to take the Sunday services. The churchardens used to climb the belfry and ring the bells when he came into sight, to summon the parishioners.
On the south side of the church is a small but very beautiful porch with a rib vault roof and four centred arched doorway. In the east wall of this porch is a very interesting old leaded window made between 1471 and 1483 during the reign of Edward iv incorporating a sunburst and a white Rose of York, which were his badges.
The perpendicular north aisle was rebuilt around 1500 keeping its narrow Norman width and decorated with a pinnace and various grotesques. Inside could have been a Chantry Chapel dedicated to St Catherine because a Cahterine Wheel is carved in the pedestal of her empty niche.
The main body of the church contains a Norman arcade of three bays with round piers and a Victorian chancel containing pine choir stall, low Tractarian screen ironwork, and the organ. They are decorated with gided poppy heads. At the north end of the nave i a tower containing a very rare set of three 15th century bells probably cast by Robert hendley fo Gloucester. They are dedicated to Mary the Virgin, Mary magdalene and John the Baptiset with the Gothic lettering, ORA PRO NOBIS.
In 1975, Aldsworth Parish united with the parishes of Great Barrington, Little Barrington, Sherborne and Windrush to form the Benefice of Windrush.
History compiled with grateful thanks to present and past church members.
History compiled with grateful thanks to present and past church members.
About the Village and Community
Aldsworth is a quiet unspoilt village just off the Cirencester to Burford road some three miles from the well known of Bibury.
The village has beautiful traditional Cotswolds honey-combed coloured cottages, a manor house and a pub, The Sherborne Arms, which has been the village pub since 1799.
The Sherborne Arms serves food and has some function rooms available for hire but does not offer overnight accommodation. However there are Air B&Bs available in the village, and there are plenty of eateries and places to stay in nearby Burford and Bibury.
The village has beautiful traditional Cotswolds honey-combed coloured cottages, a manor house and a pub, The Sherborne Arms, which has been the village pub since 1799.
The Sherborne Arms serves food and has some function rooms available for hire but does not offer overnight accommodation. However there are Air B&Bs available in the village, and there are plenty of eateries and places to stay in nearby Burford and Bibury.
