Nominal: 860 Hz Weight: 917 lbs Diameter: 36" Bell 1 of 7
Founded by Lester & Pack 1765
Dove Bell ID: 4244 Tower ID: 16511 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Long Wittenham: St Mary the Virgin
Diocese of Oxford
Church, 627320
http://www.dorchester-abbey.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: SU 548 940
It dates from 1120, is built in stone from Caen in Normandy and is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. The church consisted originally of a short chancel and a long, aisle-less nave with a very fine Norman archway between. Towards the end of the Twelfth Century it was decided to enlarge the church, possibly due to population growth and the South aisle with an arcade of four bays was erected. The North aisle was added possibly not long after the South aisle extension. This did not extend the full length of the nave and consists of three bays which are not opposite those in the South aisle.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 365 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The Domesday survey of 1086 tells that Queen Edith, wife of Edward the Confessor, held the manor of Long Wittenham before the Conquest. On her death in 1075, William the Conqueror bestowed it on his Norman follower, Walter Giffard, whom he created Earl of Buckingham. It was his grandson, also Walter, who built the present church as part of the great church rebuilding programme undertaken by the Normans. It dates from 1120, is built in stone from Caen in Normandy and is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin.
The church consisted originally of a short chancel and a long, aisle-less nave with a very fine Norman archway between. Towards the end of the Twelfth Century it was decided to enlarge the church, possibly due to population growth and the South aisle with an arcade of four bays was erected. The North aisle was added possibly not long after the South aisle extension. This did not extend the full length of the nave and consists of three bays which are not opposite those in the South aisle.
The South chapel, now used as the vestry, was probably built by Lady Joan of Acre, second wife of the Lord of the Manor, Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, as a memorial chapel to him following his death in 1295.
The tower was added, as was fashionable, in the Fifteenth Century. The west window is of two lights with a small head of tracery and part of the Norman west wall was removed to link with the new tower. The six bells in the tower were recast in 1765. The second bell was again recast in 1924 when the bells were re-hung on steel frames.
The chancel, having become very dilapidated, was rebuilt in 1850 by the Rector and Fellows of Exeter College who have been patrons since 1322.
Exterior Description
The church consisted originally of a short chancel and a long, aisle-less nave with a very fine Norman archway between. Towards the end of the Twelfth Century it was decided to enlarge the church, possibly due to population growth and the South aisle with an arcade of four bays was erected. The North aisle was added possibly not long after the South aisle extension. This did not extend the full length of the nave and consists of three bays which are not opposite those in the South aisle.
The South chapel, now used as the vestry, was probably built by Lady Joan of Acre, second wife of the Lord of the Manor, Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, as a memorial chapel to him following his death in 1295.
The tower was added, as was fashionable, in the Fifteenth Century. The West window is of two lights with a small head of tracery and part of the Norman West wall was removed to link with the new tower.
The chancel, having become very dilapidated, was rebuilt in 1850 by the Rector and Fellows of Exeter College who have been patrons since 1322.
Interior
Bells
Nominal: 1440.3 Hz Weight: 440 lbs Diameter: 24.88" Bell 2 of 7
Founded by Lester & Pack 1765
Dove Bell ID: 29604 Tower ID: 16511 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Nominal: 1286.2 Hz Weight: 471 lbs Diameter: 26.44" Bell 3 of 7
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1923
Dove Bell ID: 29605 Tower ID: 16511 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Nominal: 1150 Hz Weight: 621 lbs Diameter: 29.31" Bell 4 of 7
Founded by Lester & Pack 1765
Dove Bell ID: 29606 Tower ID: 16511 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Nominal: 1077.2 Hz Weight: 626 lbs Diameter: 30.5" Bell 5 of 7
Founded by Lester & Pack 1765
Dove Bell ID: 29607 Tower ID: 16511 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Nominal: 962 Hz Weight: 773 lbs Diameter: 33.44" Bell 6 of 7
Founded by Lester & Pack 1765
Dove Bell ID: 29608 Tower ID: 16511 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Diameter: 17.5" Bell 7 of 7
Dove Bell ID: 29609 Tower ID: 16511 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 548 940
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.
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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