Tilehurst (St. Michael)

TILEHURST (St. Michael), a parish, in the union of Bradfield, hundred of Reading, county of Berks, 2¾ miles (W.) from Reading; containing, with Theale, 2147 inhabitants. This parish has the river Thames on the north, and the Kennet on the south; and is intersected by the Great Western railway. It has been divided by act of parliament into two parts, of which one constitutes the sub-parish of Theale. The whole comprises 6205a. 3r. 3p.; about 3393 acres are arable, 920 pasture, and 401 woodland. The living is composed of a rectory and vicarage, united in 1586, valued in the king's books at £21. 15. 2½., and in the patronage of Mrs. Sophia Sheppard. The church is a plain brick structure, containing some ancient brasses, and a sumptuous monument to the memory of Sir Peter Vanlore, Knt., who died in 1627. A church was erected at Theale in 1830. There is a place of worship for Wesleyans. Richard Lloyd, the learned Bishop of Worcester, was born here in 1627.