All Saints Church
Services are now taking place in All Saints Church. If you would like to register for regular copies of the "Churn", please email Dawn at: office@churnchurches.co.uk This is also the main way to contact our Ministry Team. Other details are included in the Churn leaflet.
Rector: The Revd Jason St.John Nicolle 850267
Blewbury Rectory, 0X11 9QH
Associate Priests: The Revd Louise Butler 07837 009730
The Revd John Clarke 512987
Science Missioner: The Revd Jen Brown 01865 40716
Church Warden: Vacant
Services in N Moreton
Parish Service: All Saints’ NM
Arrangements for weddings and baptisms should be made at the Beneifice Office in Blewbury between 9am and 11am on Saturday mornings. Someone will always be there, no appointment is necessary.
Benefice Email office@churnchurches.co.uk
All Saints Church History
Our Grade 1 Parish Church of All Saints, North Moreton stands in the centre of this small village with a population of c350. Of the original Norman church on the site only the Font survives. The late 12th and early 13th centuries rebuilding with nave, chancel and South Aisle served this agricultural community for about 600 years. The church is notable for the St. Nicholas or Stapleton Chapel whose east window contains a superb series of late 13th century stained glass showing fifteen colourful scenes from the lives of Christ, the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, St. Paul & St. Nicholas. The window is among the earliest in the county and supposedly among the finest. The chapel itself was remodelled in the decorated style in 1295 at the foundation of Stapleton's chantry by Sir Miles Stapleton who acquired his Berkshire lands through marriage. By misfortune Sir Miles was never laid to rest in the church as he was killed (with his two sons) at the Battle of Bannockburn whilst serving King Edward I. Victorian architect GE Street restored much of the rest of the building’s interior but he did not disturb the chapel nor did he alter the 15th Century tower whose bells have recently been restored and supplemented. An interesting introduction of a mezzanine floor below the bells is allowing re-ordering of the West end of the building to incorporate modern facilities of Kitchenette and toilets.
The records show that in the 19Th Century services were arranged as early as 5.30am to accommodate the farming community. In the 21st Century services are held every Sunday with each of early (8am) Holy Communion, Parish Eucharist, Morning service, Family service and Evensong at least once a month. Christian study and prayer groups within the Churn Benefice are open to all. Our church remains central to village life and we look forward to sustaining this focus as we develop new community facilities for this lovely building.
The church is open during daylight hours except when building work is in progress.
(Notes courtesy of Churn Benefice)
The stained glass of the Stapleton Chantry
Most of us in the village will be unaware that our Church has a stained glass window of huge import.
We have recently had a report undertaken by the York Glaziers Trust who stated:
‘The stained glass of the Stapleton Chantry, installed in c 1300 is of exceptional national significance, part of an elite architectural commission …. Connected to the courts of Edward I and Edward II’
‘It is a landmark project in the history of modern stained glass restoration’
Sadly, the glass now displays signs of significant and progressive deterioration and urgently needs restoration. If we do nothing then the windows will, in a short period of time be lost for ever and therefore we are launching a campaign to try and save the windows. If the preservation work is undertaken, then this will restore the windows for an estimated 400 years.
There are so many demands on our capital but as residents of the village we have a national asset that , as current occupiers, we feel we have a responsibility to try and restore these great windows.
The estimated cost to fully restore the windows is in the region of £200,000. This is a massive sum and we will be looking to apply for grants from all sources. However, without significant contributions from the residents then we have little chance of success.
Let’s talk!
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