Rycote Chapel

GREAT HASELEY RYCOTE SP60SE 6/73 Rycote Chapel 18/07/63 (Formerly listed as Chapel)

GV 1

Chantry, now church. Consecrated 1449. Founded by Richard and Sibil Quatremayne of Rycote. Coursed squared limestone rubble and ashlar dressings from the Taynton quarries; old plain-tile roof. Nave, chancel and west tower. Nave and chancel are a single structure of five bays separated by stepped buttresses which rise above the roof bearing a variety of pinnacles. 2-light side windows have shallow arches of triangular form with labels, and the 4-centre arched east window has 5 lights with panel tracery. Towards the west end of the north side is a fine 4-centre arched doorway with moulded square surround and recessed spandrels with quatrefoils, and there is a corresponding but plainer doorway on the south. The 3-stage crenellated tower has a west doorway with pointed moulded arch above which is a 3-light triangular-headed window and a canopied niche. The 2-light belfry openings also have triangular heads. Interior: Continuous wagon roof, formerly painted. The bench pews in the nave and chancel and the base of the chancel screen are contemporary with the building. Of c.1610 are the western gallery, the wooden pulpit with sounding board, and 2 elaborate canopied pews, one surmounted by a musicians' gallery reached by the stair to the former rood loft. The elaborate Baroque reredos is dated 1682 and has 4 flirted Corinthian columns and a segmental pediment. The barleytwist communion rails are roughly contemporary. There is a monument of 1767 commemorating James Bertie, Earl of Abingdon, incorporating a marble bust, and a plaque to Alfred St. George Hammersley with inscription by Eric Gill. The building and contents are of outstanding interest, were placed in the guardianship of the Ministry of Works in 1952 and are scheduled as an Ancient Monument. (J. Salmon, Rycote Chapel, MPBW Guidebook, 1967; Buildings of England: Oxfordshire, pp.747-8).

Listing NGR: SP6670504650