St. Giles, Great Coxwell, Berkshire

Description

The church of St. Giles is an ancient building of stone, consisting of chancel, nave, north porch and a battlemented western tower, with crocketed pinnacles at the angles, containing 5 bells, dated 1738; the chancel, restored by the Earl of Radnor in 1881, at a cost of £250, is good plain Early English work; the east window of three lancets is flanked on each side by a plain niche; and there is also a niche over the communion table, with a locker on each side; in the south wall is a piscina, with a shelf and low-side window; the nave, restored in 1882 at a cost of £400, has Perpendicular windows on the south side; there is a western gallery and the remains of a turret leading to the rood loft; at the junction of the chancel and nave is a sanctus bell gable; the tower, 15 feet square, is Early Perpendicular; there is a brass with effigies and inscription to William Morys, farmer, and Joan, his wife, 2 sons and a daughter, c. 1500; and inscriptions to Robert Russell, gent. citizen and draper, of London, 1630; Ann, wife of Thomas Mores, 1632; and Margaret, wife of Frances Mores, 1675, ancestors of Edward Rowe Mores D.D., F.S.A. the antiquary; to Robert Spindler, 1743; Frances, wife of Bond Spindler M.A. rector of St. Martin's, Oxford, 1743; and to Walter Mathew, 1698; in the church is also a memorial to the Rev. David Collyer B.A. for nearly 50 years vicar here, and a benefactor to the parish, and to Maria, his daughter, wife of Henry Stevens; he died 21 October, 1724, and was the author of the "Sacred Interpreter:" there are 140 sittings.

Church Records

The register dates from the year 1654.