Description

FOREST HILL WITH SHOTOVER MAIN STREET
SP50NE (North side)
Forest Hill
5/64 Church of St. Nicholas
18/07/63

GV II*

Church. C12 and c.1200, partly rebuilt early C17, extended 1852. North aisle by
Gilbert Scott. Limestone rubble with ashlar dressings; old plain-tile roofs.
Chancel, 3-bay nave with north aisle, south porch; organ chamber to north of
chancel. Chancel has 2 lancets to south and one to north, c.1200, and a triplet
to east by J.H. Parker. South wall of nave is probably early C17 and has a
round-headed window, to west of the porch, and a 2-light Decorated-style window,
probably by Scott. Early C17 porch has a small window with ovolo-moulded stone
surround and a gable parapet with projecting kneelers. The outer arch is a
re-set doorway of c.1200 with roll and keel mouldings to arch and 2 pairs of
attached shafts with waterleaf capitals. The gabled west bell turret has 3
pointed openings and may be C13; it is supported by 2 massive later buttresses
flanking a 3-light traceried C15 window. North aisle and vestry/organ chamber in
Geometrical-Decorated style, has traceried 2-light windows to east and west.
Interior: Chancel side walls have continuous strings at sill level and around
the semi-circular heads of the splays. The east window has elaborate rear arches
with freestanding shafts. To south is a round-arched recess and column piscina
beside two C19 stone seats. C12 chancel arch is plain except for heavy imposts,
North arcade of nave is in early-Decorated style with octagonal piers and there
is stencilled decoration in the spandrels. Similar decoration and texts above
the chancel arch may be C17. The nave has a fine 7-canted roof with a collar
purlin supported by 4 octagonal crown posts with moulded capitals and bases. The
tie beams have ovolo mouldings and soffit channels, and one is dated 1630. The
7-canted chancel roof is probably contemporary. Font, pulpit and fittings are
C19. Glass in chancel by T. Willement, and in north aisle by Holland of Warwick,
1852. Wall monument,in coloured marbles to Ann Heywood (died 1756), and several
plainer C18 memorials.
(V.C.H.: Oxfordshire, Vol.V; Buildings of England: Oxfordshire, pp,605-6).

Listing NGR: SP5823207504

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Church of St Nicholas official website
• Wikidata Q17548908

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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