Bell 1 of 1
Dove Bell ID: 65464 Tower ID: 25724 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Highmoor: St Paul
Overview
Grid reference: SU 700 842
A Victorian village church of flint, set just south of the eponymous crossroads of Highmoor Cross, 1 mile south of Nettlebed and 4 north-west of Henley-on-Thames. Together with the large contemporary brick vicarage adjacent to the south, the church forms the visual focus of this small dispersed rural settlement. The church seems plain externally, designed in the 13th-century Gothic style with geometrical and plate tracery windows. Starting with the steeply pointed west facade, a tall gabled bellcote with finial cross gives the church some vertical emphasis. The wall beneath is pierced by a 3-light traceried pointed window above a centrally placed shallow porch with pointed doorway. Trefoil-headed 2-light pointed windows and buttresses of two weatherings to the nave side walls, lower chancel with lancets in the side walls and a 3-light east window like the west, south vestry with lancet in east gable and tall stone stack rising above.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West bellcote, nave with shallow west porch, chancel, south vestry.
Dimensions:
Nave 19am long, 5.5m wide.
Footprint of Church buildings: 192 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The site is of no known archaeological potential, although there is a Medieval earthwork (Grims Ditch) in the vicinity. The church was built on this new site in 1859, designed by Joseph Morris of Reading and built by Robert Owthwaite of Henley-on-Thames. The church was paid for by the Revd Joseph Smith, the rector of Rotherfield Greys. The ICBS granted 100 pounds. Highmoor was made a separate parish in 1860 after the Rector had built up a congregation using local rooms. The porch was added in 1895, and the stained glass window was installed at the east end.
Exterior Description
The church seems plain externally, designed in the 13th-century Gothic style with geometrical and plate tracery windows. Starting with the steeply pointed west facade, a tall gabled bellcote with finial cross gives the church some vertical emphasis. The wall beneath is pierced by a 3-light traceried pointed window above a centrall placed shallow porch with pointed doorway. Trefoil-headed 2-light pointed windows and buttresses of two weatherings to the nave side walls, lower chancel with lancets in the side walls and a 3-light east window like the west, south vestry with lancet in east gable and tall stone stack rising above. Original rainwater goods dated 1859.
Building Fabric and Features
Bellcote
19th century west bellcote
Nave
19th century
Porch
19th century shallow west porch
Chancel
19th century
Vestry
19th century south vestry
Building Materials
Flint
19th century Knapped flint
Bath Stone
19th century Bath stone detailing
Clay
19th century red clay tile roof
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is whitewashed and little altered with simple benches with curved ends in the nave, the organ occupying much of the south wall of the chancel with the vestry behind through a doorway with pyramid stops at the base. Scissor-braced nave roof, the chancel with waggon roof. The floors are quarry tiles mostly under red carpet, set in a geometric pattern in the sanctuary. Moulded chancel arch with trumpet consoles, stone reredos and trefoil-headed aumbry and piscina with inscriptions. Choir stalls similar to the nave benches.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century Oak altar table with open cusped tracery. Fine altar frontals, local manufacture.
Reredos
19th century Limestone with plain cornice and four panels enclosing A and Ώ symbols and text John 13:32-35, perhaps painted in the early 20th century.
Pulpit
19th century Oak pulpit, square with open tracery panels, stone base.
Lectern
19th century Wooden reading desk and chest with lid, turned legs.
Font (component)
19th century 13th century style hexagonal stone font with trefoil sides to the bowl and moulded stem and base.
Stained Glass (window)
19th / 20th century East window dedicated 1896, designed by John Francis Bently, depicts Christ in Glory. The chancel lancets have St Peter, St James, St John the Evangelist, by the same artist as the west window which depicts personifications of Faith, Hope, and Love, early 20th century.
Organ (component)
19th century Small one-manual pipe organ by Hedgeland. A good small instrument.
Plaque (component)
20th century Stone plaque to churchwarden Gerald de Pass, died 1959.
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers from 1860.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 700 842
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Quinquennial Inspections
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