Church Of St Oswald

The Church of St Oswald is a Grade II* listed building located in Backford. The chancel dates from the 14th century, the tower from the 15th century, and the nave was rebuilt between 1728 and 1731, with further remodeling by Ewan Christian from 1877 to 1879. The church is constructed of sandstone and features a graded slate roof.

The west tower is buttressed and has a chamfered plinth, a rebuilt embattled parapet with a crocketted finial, and three-light traceried bell openings, along with some narrow slit openings. The west front showcases a restored three-light window above a doorway that has a four-centred arched head. Both the window and doorway are adorned with hood moulds that feature animal and human figure stops. Stone bands on the tower include shields and figure heads, and there are figure gargoyles located below the parapet.

The nave contains three two-light traceried windows and a south porch. The chancel features an east window with intersecting tracery, a north window with Y-tracery, and the south wall has a 14th-century doorway along with two three-light Perpendicular windows set in deep recesses, supported by clasping buttresses. A stone cross is positioned at the east end.

Inside, the nave arcades are supported by cylindrical piers with pointed arches, and there is a tall pointed arch beneath the tower. The interior also includes wall paintings by E. Frampton, and the east window may be by Wailes. Six heraldic tablets painted on wood, likely by Randle Holmes, date from 1624 to 1683 and commemorate the Margel and Birkened families. Notable monuments include one for Samuel Griffiths (1796) by E. Spencer and a tablet, urn, and obelisk for Baskerville Glegg (1843) by Sanders. A 17th-century altar, now in the vestry, features twisted legs and acorn ends similar to two sanctuary chairs. There are three oak chests, two of which are dated 1636 and 1702. A stone tympanum, formerly over the porch, is inscribed: "This church was built AD 1728 Robt Denson Vicar," and is now leaning against the south wall of the tower in the churchyard.