OXFORD DIOCESE PILGRIM PROJECT
St Michael & St Mary Magdalene, Easthampstead
St Michael and St Mary Magdalene is a holy place with treasures from every age. In 635 St Birinus baptised King Cyngils here before moving to Dorchester. From the stone church of c1160 many furnishings survive. Rebuilt 1865–7, the present church is an impressive monument to the Arts and Crafts and Pre-Raphaelite movements, with windows by Morris and Burne-Jones. St Birinus’ Spring (635) in the churchyard was
of Charles I, reused for Charles II. Pray for all in
close to the War Memorial, designed by the Arts
authority that they may rule justly and seek the
and Crafts architect, Temple-Moore. By tradition
common good.
St Birinus baptised King Cyngils of Wessex here in the presence of St Oswald. Give thanks for the
Pope was a friend of Elijah Fenton, poet and
saints who established the faith in our land and
tutor to the Trumbull family who leased
pray that we too may draw others to Christ.
Easthampstead Park. The epitaph by Alexander Pope (1730) in the north aisle extols Fenton’s
The Font (c1160) links us with the first stone
virtues. Give thanks for those who have formed
church. It has eight sides; seven for the days
and fostered Christian qualities in us.
of Creation, and an eighth for our re-creation through the Resurrection of Jesus. Give thanks
Revd Osborne Gordon, Ruskin’s tutor at Christ
for our own baptism and for the new creation we
Church and friend of the Pre-Raphaelites, rebuilt
have become in Christ.
the Church 1865–67. In the Resurrection Window (1878) in the north aisle, Burne-
Easthampstead was a Royal Manor from the
Jones, following John 20, 11–18, shows St Mary
Saxon kings to the reign of Charles I. The
Magdalene on the left looking for the dead
Royal Arms (1625) under the tower are those
Christ, and on the right finding new life in our
risen Lord. Pray that we may always move from
The High Altar Reredos (1873–77) is made of
our old ways to grow in the image of Christ.
Opus Sectile. The outer panels depict the four Evangelists with their symbols. The centre panel
The front of the Pulpit (1631) is carved with
depicts the Crucifixion with Jesus reigning from
flourishing plants. In the inscription on the left
the Cross with compassion. Give thanks that
William Aylward compares his gift of the Pulpit
in Communion we share in Jesus’ death and
to the generosity of the Widow’s mite in St Luke
resurrection.
21:2–3. Pray that we may be generous with our time, talents and money in Christ’s service.
On the south side of the Chancel Arch a brass to Thomas Berwyk (1443), a clerk at Eton Chapel,
The Last Judgement Window (1876) above the
asks in Latin that we pray for his soul. Pray for
High Altar was a collaboration between Burne-
those whom we love but see no longer.
Jones and William Morris. At the top is Christ in Glory. Below are 12 Elders who will judge God’s
The Rood Screen (15thC) in the Downshire
people. In the centre is St Michael with the Book
Chapel stood between the Nave and Chancel
of Life. Either side angels’ trumpets raise the
representing the Gate of Heaven. Pray that our
dead. Pray that we may have the courage and
pilgrimage on earth may help us grow closer to
wisdom to change our lives in Christ’s love.
God in heaven.
OXFORD DIOCESE PILGRIM PROJECT
You might also like to visit other nearby churches in the Pilgrim Project:
Oxford Diocese Pilgrim Project: St Michael & St Mary Magdalene, Easthampstead RG12 7ET
St Thomas of Canterbury, Goring Site of ancient priory
Website: www.stmichaelseasthampstead.org.uk
Holy Trinity, Cookham Stanley Spencer St Giles, Stoke Poges Gray’s ‘Elegy’
PILGRIMAGE PRAYER Pilgrim God, You are our origin and our destination. Travel with us, we pray, in every pilgrimage of faith, and every journey of the heart. Give us the courage to set off, the nourishment we need to travel well, and the welcome we long for at our journey’s end. So may we grow in grace and love for you and in the service of others. through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen
John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford
Illustrations by Brian Hall © Diocese of Oxford