IFFLEY, OXFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND
A pleasant 2 mile walk along a towpath beside the Thames in Oxford will take you to the picturesque village of Iffley, where you'll find a small boat lock and the ancient Norman church St. Mary the Virgin. Built in 1170 by Robert de San Remy, a wealthy immigrant from Normandy (Remember the Norman Invasion of 1066), it is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in England, remarkably preserved & retaining its original simplicity of architecture.Early neglect served to preserve it; Reformation brought changes
In 1383 the manor of Iffley passed to the lords of Donnington (Newbury), who cared little for Iffley so did little to change the church, other than put in larger windows & a rood screen.
During the Reformation, however, early wall paintings were considered idolatrous so were whitewashed, replaced by biblical texts. Side chapels were blocked up & plastered over, the roof was replaced with a lower one & the pulpit raised so everyone could see the preacher.
Other minor changes were made during the 19th century, and in 1995 the church was restored & refurbished.
Of particular interest on the exterior are the west front, with perfect geometrical proportions & beautiful carvings, including two rows of beakheads with an outer molding of figurative carvings around the entrance.
Vicarage available to rent
The original vicarage was a large building in front of the church, now too large to be economical for one person. It has been acquired by the Land Trust & made available for public rental. The vicar lives in a small portion of the building, & the rest, large enough to accommodate 6 people, at about $2,800/week. See the Land Trust web site below:
(Directions: Walk south from Christ Church on St. Aldate's Street to Folly Bridge on the Thames. Cross the bridge & take footpath on the left, beside sightseeing boat ramp.)
PHOTOS
Exterior, St. Mary the Virgin, Iffley
Entrance detail, beautifully preserved
Interior
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