Church Of St Giles

The Church of St Giles is an Anglican parish church located in Thurloxton village. It has Norman origins, with significant elements from the 14th century, predominantly from the 15th century, and underwent restoration in the 19th century, including the addition of a north aisle in 1868. The church is constructed from random red sandstone rubble with freestone dressings and features triple Roman tile roofs with a coped verge and finial.

Architecturally, the church has a nave with a south porch and a north aisle, a chancel with a north vestry, and a west tower. The tower is embattled and consists of two stages with diagonal buttresses, featuring 2-light bell-chamber windows with louvres and a 2-light west window dated 1500. The west door provides access to the church. The nave has two bays with square-headed 2 and 3-light windows, each light is cusped and adorned with stopped labels and leaded lights. The south porch has a semi-circular headed outer door opening, likely from the 18th century, with a dropped keystone, moulded imposts, and paired doors, along with a lamp above.

The north aisle consists of three bays with three cross-gables and 2-light windows. The chancel has two bays with square-headed 2-light windows, leaded lights, and a blocked priest's door. Inside, there is an early door leading to the porch, and the interior is plastered with the nave and chancel featuring 15th and 16th-century ceiled wagon roofs with moulded ribs and bosses. The aisle is separated by a three-bay arcade.

Notable interior features include a Norman tub font with a 17th-century cover, a piscina, and a rood screen with three arches dated 1734, which includes a doorway, a reading desk, and a prayer desk. The pulpit is in a similar style with four carved figures and back-panelling. There are 18th-century pews along with some from the 19th century, and 18th and 19th-century monuments, including one by Pollard of Taunton. The altar table is Jacobean, and there are 18th-century decalogue plaques under the tower featuring painted figures and the Arms of George II. The church houses bells from the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries, and stained glass includes an east window from 1883, a 19th-century west window, and two windows commemorating the Victoria Jubilee. The church also has a 19th-century organ. Notably, Parson Woodforde, the 18th-century diarist known for "Diary of a Country Parson," served as priest-in-charge for three months.