The Anglican parish church dedicated to St Mark consists of a tower and spire, a nave, south aisle, chancel and north aisle with side chapel, (the Englefield Chapel). The architect Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1857 re-used much of the medieval church that was already there to extensively restore it. In 1868 the tower with spire north west of the nave was added in thirteenth century style together with a south doorway with a porch. The earliest part of the church, the nave, dates from the year 1190, three bays of the south arcade between the nave and the south aisle date from c1200. The jambs of the doorway, the piscina (stone water bowl) and the font are all 12th century. The eastern triple window of the south aisle also dates from this period when the Norman style of architecture was transitioning to the Early English one. The south doorway within the porch has been renewed. The older parts are early 13th century. The hammered iron hinges curving like a 'C' are thought to stand for St Clement, the patron saint of blacksmiths.
A stained glass window depicting coats of arms, Englefield parkland with deer, The Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, Jesus healing the sick. There is a Benyon Ward at the RBH and a new 'tranquil garden' area was gifted by the Benyon family to the hospital in 2018.
The list of the Rectors of Englefield Church from 1542 to 2005
As I have a copy of my great grandparents marriage certificate I could see and confirm the rector
who married them in 1884.
A stained glass window at the end of the main aisle depicts images from St. Mark's gospel sowing, digging, harvesting
the south aisle and altar with further wall memorials
There is a small squint window to the extreme left of the altar which was blocked off when the chancel was rebuilt. A squint window enabled the priest at the side chapel to see the high altar so that he could keep in touch with the priest during a Eucharistic Service.
On the wall to the right of the side altar is a Benyon memorial
The memorial plaque reads 'Near this place is interred the Body of Mrs Mary Benyon daughter of Francis Tyssen Esq and Rachel his wife of Hackney in the county of Niddlesex. She was twice married, first in 1737 to Powlett Wright Esq of Englefield House in this Parish who died 8th January 1740 leaving only one son Powlett and secondly in 1745 to Richard Benyon Esq of Gidea Hall in the county of Essex by whom she had one son Richard who caused this monument to be erected. She died 18th September 1777 Aged 62 years.
Something I missed when looking around is the memorial slabs in the south aisle of John Paulet, 5th Marquess of Winchester and his wife, Honora. Paulet married as his second wife, Honora, who was the granddaughter of Sir Francis Walsingham. Walsingham was a royal courtier, Queen Elizabeth I's secretary and chief spymaster who also had an association with Reading in Berkshire where he had a town house. There is also a memorial slab to Honora. It is through this family that Englefield passed to the Benyons.
Two ancient effigies under modern arches are in the south wall. One represents a cross-legged knight in full armour. His feet are resting on a dog which was often the conventional pose for such a sculptured effigy. Under the other arch is the wooden effigy of a lady with a wimple (a fitted head dress that goes under the chin is a sign of her widowhood). It is thought she represents a lady of the Englefield family and dates from the year 1340.
the east window in the south aisle (early 13th century)
The three lancets have a continuous hood mould to the surrounding arch with thin pillars jutting out between each lancet supporting the whole. (see above photo of the south aisle and altar) The window is considered to be the finest example of this period of architecture in Berkshire.
font and organ the organ incorporates parts of the old Victorian instrument
We arrived at the end of the Sunday service. We were greeted by members of the congregation who were friendly and invited us to have coffee. I asked permission to take photos and the ladies of the Benyon family both spoke to us and were very kind and helpful pointing out that the parish church is open for all and is not a private one just for the estate. We came away feeling welcomed.
After taking a few photos of the exterior we went for shelter from the rain into the garden centre in a walled area next to the church.
the perfume from the hyacinths in the glasshouse was wonderful
We bought some compost for a small fig tree Mr P had been growing to give to our grandson as a birthday gift and one or two other plants (herbs, a polyanthus and a hellebore).
cottages in the village
village school
tea rooms
The tea rooms are only open at certain times so we went on to Pangbourne to somewhere we know well where we could have a warm drink. I've posted before about Pangbourne including
here
There's a new farm shop selling local produce and daughter D and her friend went to the grand opening on Saturday. It was very busy so they bought some things from the delicatessen and took it back home for a shared lunch. There's an outdoor eating area and all the more reason to return when the weather is better!
The Elephant Hotel, Pangbourne
(Notes mainly taken from the Englefield website) Englefield House was used in the filming of 'The King's Speech' and 'The Crown'.
