HISTORY
Introduction
A look back into history
The restoration of the Church 1990-95
A tour of the interior (photos)
The exterior of the Church (photos)

Introduction
On the outside the building is traditional, but on entering, the visitor finds a modern setting. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) took advantage of the major restoration that was needed in the early 1990s to make a revolutionary change. The reason was to enable as many people as possible to see and hear what was happening during services. The present arrangement allows for great flexibility: services take place in old Chancel, in the Memorial Chapel, and facing the west end of the church. The chairs, unlike the old pews, are moved around as necessary to allow for different needs in addition to services, e.g. Taizé services, exhibitions, concerts, conferences. (back to top)

A look back into history
Parts of the present building date from the 12th century, though a Saxon church may have existed here. This is supported by a list made in about 1015 of the burial places of saints in England, which says that St. Diuma, a 7th century bishop of the Middle Angles and Mercians, 'rests in the place that is called Ceorlingburh'. From 1094 until the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII, all appointments to the living of Charlbury were made by the Abbey of Eynsham. Unfortunately no names of Rectors are known until Walter de Sancto Edmundo (1234-1265). From 1296 the Abbey received the main tithes of corn and from then on appointed Vicars, who received the lesser tithes of hay and offerings made by the congregation. The right of appointment passed to St. John's College Oxford in 1590, and the President of the college, Dr. Ralph Hutchinson, was vicar from 1593 to 1606. He took part in the translation of the Authorized Version of the Bible, but died before it was finished. (back to top)

The Restoration of the Church 1990-1995
During these years the church experienced what is believed to be the most comprehensive restoration in its 900 year history. The aim was to combine essential repairs and renewals with adapting the church for contemporary needs.

Basically:
The fabric was extensively repaired
A stone floor was laid in the nave, north and south aisles and in the memorial chapel
New heating, lighting and seating were installed
A sanctuary was formed at the west end
An electronic organ replaced the old pipe organ
The empty organ chamber was transformed into a vestry, kitchen and toilet, with a meeting room above
A sound amplifying system (with loop) was installed
A glass screen was placed around the Memorial Chapel
New kneelers were embroidered by parishioners and others

The total cost was £385,000 of which £280,000 was given directly by parishioners. The remainder was raised by events sponsored by the PCC and individual church members: by the sale of specially designed goods, by sponsorship of new chairs and kneelers, by the sale of the old pews and other redundant items and by donations from outside benefactors. The result of the restoration is a church better able to proclaim Christ afresh to a new generation. (back to top)

A Tour of the Interior (photos)
The font is of unknown date and stands at the entrance to the church, between the main door and the new altar. The nave is entered via the 13th century arches on the south side. Note the new chairs, and the kneelers made by parishioners which represent religious themes, organisations in the town and particular interests. Their blue and gold colours and the diamond pattern round the edge were chosen to fit in with the single lancet window at the west end behind the altar.

The Sanctuary and Tower now form the focus for the main Sunday services. The altar and lectern were made specially for the church in 1998. The fine 17th century spiral staircase, which has been brought into greater prominence by the re-ordering, leads to the ringing chamber. The Bells: Since 1716 St. Mary's has had a peal of six bells, all cast by Abraham Rudhall of Gloucester. The inscriptions are as follows: 1. Peace and Good Neighbourhood A.R. 1716 2. Prosperity to this Town and Parish A.R. 1716 3. God preserve the Church of England A.R. 1716 4. Abr.Rudhall of Gloucester cast us all 1716 5. Prosperity to all our Benfactors A.R. 1716 6. Wm Ryman, Tho Cooke, Jn Rogers, Edwd Brain, Churchwardens 1716 The quarter chimes of the church clock strike bells 1,2,3 and 6. There is an older sanctus bell.

The North Aisle : the rounded Norman arches were built in the 12th century. The organ console and choir area are situated here. The vestry, kitchen and Upper Room are at the east end of this aisle, and coffee is served here after services. The Old Chancel was restored in1874-75; the blocked in door that once led to the rood loft in the chancel arch is still visible. The wrought iron gates, given in 1973 in memory of Aubrey Lloyd, were moved here from the tower arch during the recent restoration. The only remaining pews found here are choir stalls given in 1948 in memory of Dr.Mcneight, a GP in Charlbury. The east window is in memory of the Rev'd Charles West, vicar from 1874 to 1897. The Memorial Chapel is contained within the glass screens. The window on the east wall was given in memory of the men who fell in the First World War and depicts on the left St.Edward the Confessor and on the right St. Louis of France. The War Memorial is placed in the north east corner. The window on the right of the altar depicts St.Elizabeth with her son John the Baptist, St. Martin of Tours, the Visitation and St.Martin sharing his cloak with a beggar. The chapel is used by the Sunday Club for the children, and other activities, as well as services for a small weekday congregation. The south aisle contains a small niche which once held a statue. In the south wall there is an opening which was almost certainly a piscina, so this part of the church was probably a side chapel before the Reformation. Above there are some interesting corbel heads, said to represent the Abbot of Eynsham, a wool merchant and other citizens. The list of Rectors and Vicars of Charlbury, and the old parish chest which may be 16th century or earlier, are found at the west end of this aisle. The Porch was built in the 15th century and was restored in 1903 by the Rev'd A.C.Smith, vicar from 1898 to 1903. Over the inner door there is the 13th century trefoil-headed archway. (back to top)

The Exterior of the Church (photos)
The Tower was built in the 13th century, but its west door (no longer used) was inserted at the end of the 15th century when the height of the tower was increased by one storey. The four-faced Clock was installed in 1885. The sundial on the south wall is dated 1776. (back to top)