East Challow
Encyclopedia
East Challow is a village and civil parish about 1 miles (1.6 km) west of Wantage
in the Vale of White Horse
. Historically it was part of the ecclesiastical parish of Letcombe Regis
, but since 1852 East and West Challow
have formed their own single ecclesiastical parish. East Challow was part of Berkshire
until the 1974 boundary changes
transferred the Vale of White Horse to Oxfordshire.
was Ceueslaue in the time of the Domesday Book
in 1086. 13th century variants included Chaulea, Chaulauhe, Chawelawe and Shawelawe.
of St. Nicolas
was a Norman
building of the 12th century, but the font
and some masonry of the nave
are now almost the only features surviving from this time. In the 13th century the chancel
and chancel arch were rebuilt and the bell-cot
and three-bay
north aisle was added. The Decorated Gothic south chapel was added early in the 14th century.
The communion table
was made in the 17th century. In the 18th century the aisle was rebuilt in brick and a porch was added over a 12th century doorway. In 1858 St. Nicolas' was drastically restored, with the aisle and west front being rebuilt and the nave re-roofed. The rebuilding of the west front removed a 12th century west doorway and a 15th century west window above it. In 1884 the west tower was added at the west end of the aisle. The oak rood screen
was added in 1905.
St. Nicolas' has two bells. They are not dated, but the smaller was cast by Robert Wells of Aldbourne, Wiltshire
, which makes it very likely to date from the 18th century.
Wantage
Wantage is a market town and civil parish in the Vale of the White Horse, Oxfordshire, England. The town is on Letcombe Brook, about south-west of Abingdon and a similar distance west of Didcot....
in the Vale of White Horse
Vale of White Horse
The Vale of White Horse is a local government district of Oxfordshire in England. The main town is Abingdon, other places include Faringdon and Wantage. There are 68 parishes within the district...
. Historically it was part of the ecclesiastical parish of Letcombe Regis
Letcombe Regis
Letcombe Regis is a village and civil parish in the Vale of White Horse. It was part of Berkshire until the 1974 boundary changes transferred the Vale of White Horse to Oxfordshire...
, but since 1852 East and West Challow
West Challow
West Challow is a village and civil parish about west of the market town of Wantage in the Vale of White Horse. The village is on Childrey Brook, which is a tributary of the River Ock...
have formed their own single ecclesiastical parish. East Challow was part of Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
until the 1974 boundary changes
Local Government Act 1972
The Local Government Act 1972 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom that reformed local government in England and Wales on 1 April 1974....
transferred the Vale of White Horse to Oxfordshire.
Toponym
Challow's toponymToponymy
Toponymy is the scientific study of place names , their origins, meanings, use and typology. The word "toponymy" is derived from the Greek words tópos and ónoma . Toponymy is itself a branch of onomastics, the study of names of all kinds...
was Ceueslaue in the time of the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
in 1086. 13th century variants included Chaulea, Chaulauhe, Chawelawe and Shawelawe.
Parish church
The Church of England parish churchChurch of England parish church
A parish church in the Church of England is the church which acts as the religious centre for the people within the smallest and most basic Church of England administrative region, known as a parish.-Parishes in England:...
of St. Nicolas
Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas , also called Nikolaos of Myra, was a historic 4th-century saint and Greek Bishop of Myra . Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker...
was a Norman
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
building of the 12th century, but the font
Baptismal font
A baptismal font is an article of church furniture or a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults.-Aspersion and affusion fonts:...
and some masonry of the nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
are now almost the only features surviving from this time. In the 13th century the chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
and chancel arch were rebuilt and the bell-cot
Bell-Cot
A bell-cot, bell-cote or bellcote, is a small framework and shelter for one or more bells, supported on brackets projecting from a wall or built on the roof of chapels or churches which have no towers. It often holds the Sanctus bell rung at the Consecration....
and three-bay
Bay (architecture)
A bay is a unit of form in architecture. This unit is defined as the zone between the outer edges of an engaged column, pilaster, or post; or within a window frame, doorframe, or vertical 'bas relief' wall form.-Defining elements:...
north aisle was added. The Decorated Gothic south chapel was added early in the 14th century.
The communion table
Communion table
A Communion table is used by many Protestant churches, particularly from Reformed, Baptist, Congregational, and non-denominational traditions, for the preparation of the Eucharist ....
was made in the 17th century. In the 18th century the aisle was rebuilt in brick and a porch was added over a 12th century doorway. In 1858 St. Nicolas' was drastically restored, with the aisle and west front being rebuilt and the nave re-roofed. The rebuilding of the west front removed a 12th century west doorway and a 15th century west window above it. In 1884 the west tower was added at the west end of the aisle. The oak rood screen
Rood screen
The rood screen is a common feature in late medieval church architecture. It is typically an ornate partition between the chancel and nave, of more or less open tracery constructed of wood, stone, or wrought iron...
was added in 1905.
St. Nicolas' has two bells. They are not dated, but the smaller was cast by Robert Wells of Aldbourne, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, which makes it very likely to date from the 18th century.