The parish church of Shiplake with Dunsden has a history that goes back to the 11th century and is dedicated to SS Peter and Paul. Over the centuries there have been several major restoration building programmes, the last being in 2000. A record of these works, together with details of the monuments and artefacts in the church have been retained, some of which are in the Archives of the Oxfordshire Record Office.
The boarding school of Shiplake College, formerly Shiplake Court, whose grounds and buildings surround three sides of the church, use the church daily in the mornings before lessons begin.
On entering through the south door of the church the Lady Chapel is to the right and the Baptistry with the tower is to the left in the present south aisle. This area would have formed the original church building. The material used in the construction of the tower is different from the rest of the church which indicates it is the earliest building on the site. The tower would have stood separate to the church as towers were used not only for the bells, but also as living quarters for the clergy, a place to store valuables and as a lookout post.
The church was enlarged by adding the Nave and Chancel in the 13th century, but because of extensive alterations over the years, especially in the 19th century, there's not much from the earlier period that would enable an exact date to be given.
The church was enlarged by adding the Nave and Chancel in the 13th century, but because of extensive alterations over the years, especially in the 19th century, there's not much from the earlier period that would enable an exact date to be given.
In the late 19th century repairs to the roof and the walls, especially on the north side, were much needed. The columns in the Nave were underpinned and repaired. The floor was levelled and tiled and much of the church furniture replaced. The stained glass windows were repaired and the medieval glass in the north east window was moved to the main east window in the Chancel. The medieval glass in many of the windows is French in origin. It comes from the ruined Abbey of St. Bertin in St. Omer, France. During the French Revolution the monks took out the glass from the Abbey, buried it and many years later the glass was dug up to be used once more. In 1828 some of this glass was purchased by a friend of the rector of Shiplake Church. The friend had been travelling in France at the time, heard that the glass was for sale and he gifted the pieces that he bought to Shiplake Church. The major reordering work was under the supervision of the eminent architect George Edmund Street, RA.
A lancet splay window in the south wall of the Lady Chapel
was released from the Kings Chapel of St George at Windsor.
It is made of 19th century stained glass by Thomas Willement,
the accomplished person from London who was responsible for assembling
and installing the medieval stained glass in the church.
the font (19th century)
the triple light window in the west wall of the Baptistry
Assembled fragments of medieval glass from St. Omer have been used.
The wooden chest to the west of the south door is early 16th century.
The carved front has three Norman arches with a heraldic beast's head
in each centre panel.
The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by St John the Baptist
(19th century). Donated by Sir Robert Phillimore.
the Nave, the Chancel and the Sanctuary
the High Altar in the Sanctuary
A set of stone sedilia in the south side of the Sanctuary
is used by the clergy during church services.
Above is an early example of a wall mounted bust memorial to Sir Francis Plowden
whose family is closely associated with Shiplake.
In 1595 he bought the freehold of Shiplake Court which was then Crown land.
the medieval East Window in the Sanctuary
A double light window on the south wall of the Sanctuary
with panels from St Omer, France depicts people
connected with the Abbey of St. Bertin.
a memorial window in the Sanctuary
A wall monument (1607) in the
Chancel is a memorial to Andrew Blunden
Chancel is a memorial to Andrew Blunden
He bought Shiplake Rectory Estate in 1574.
a view of the Nave from the Chancel and Choir Vestry (which is on the right)
looking towards the west end
the pulpit
Detail of one of the stone pillars shows carved roses, a leopard and a man with
curly hair. Not shown are a lion and a cleric. Another man's head is on the extreme right.
The men probably represent Henry III and his brother Richard.
The lion, the leopard and the rose are heraldic images on Royal Arms.
The above triple light windows in the north aisle
are memorial windows to those who fell in WW1.(First World War).
St. Alban, St. Patrick, St Oswald, St .David, St. George, St. Andrew
are depicted in the windows.
St. Alban, St. Patrick, St Oswald, St .David, St. George, St. Andrew
are depicted in the windows.
Triple light window. West wall of the Nave.
The centre light shows Christ the King sitting in Judgement.
Erected to the memory of Sir Robert Phillimore
and designed by his widow, Lady Phillimore.
It was a pleasure to return to Shiplake. The visit to the church was especially interesting. There are security cameras in the church which must make open access possible during the day and, of course, Shiplake Church is used by Shiplake College. There were people in the churchyard and an elderly person who had been visiting a grave came over to talk to us when we were looking at the Phillimore Memorial with its shaft cross. A group activity was going on in the church hall. We got the sense that this is a place that is well-loved and used by the local community.
* The information above was taken from a comprehensive booklet that I purchased from the stock in the church. These booklets are very useful. It makes a visit more enjoyable and aids my memory about what I've seen when later reflecting on such an experience. Thanks go to those who researched and compiled this particular booklet.