Church of England
The Church of England (C of E) is the established Christian church in England and the mother church of the international Anglican Communion. It traces its history to the Christian church recorded as existing in the Roman province of Britai ...
parish church
A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in community activities, ...
in a central position in the village of
Sonning
Sonning is a village and civil parish in Berkshire, England, on the River Thames, east of Reading. The village was described by Jerome K. Jerome in his book '' Three Men in a Boat'' as "the most fairy-like little nook on the whole river".
Geo ...
, close to the
River Thames
The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At , it is the longest river entirely in England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom, after the R ...
, in the
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
county of Berkshire. It is notable for its fine array of
church monuments
Funerary art is any work of art forming, or placed in, a repository for the remains of the dead. The term encompasses a wide variety of forms, including cenotaphs ("empty tombs"), tomb-like monuments which do not contain human remains, and comm ...
and for being the successor of an Anglo-Saxon Cathedral.
Location
The church is located close to the historic Bishop's Palace, which has long since disappeared apart from some grassy mounds. The historic Bull Inn is immediately next to the church away from the river and is owned by the church. Also adjoining the churchyard is Deanery Gardens, an early 20th-century Edwin Lutyens house with a Gertrude Jekyll garden, well hidden by high walls apart from a good view from the top of the church tower. Close by is the brick-built
Sonning Bridge
Sonning Bridge is a road bridge across the River Thames at Sonning, Berkshire. It links Sonning with Sonning Eye (Oxfordshire) and crosses the Thames on the reach above Shiplake Lock, just short of Sonning Lock. It is a brick arch bridge complet ...
, leading over the Thames into Oxfordshire, with the Great House at Sonning, a historic public house, now a hotel and restaurant, next to it on the river.
History
Sonning was the location of an early Saxon minster. In 909 AD, this became one of the two cathedrals of the See of Ramsbury and Sonning. Some Saxon stonework can still be seen in the church today.
The north aisle dates from the 13th century and the south aisle dates from the early 14th century. However, the church as it can be seen today is largely Victorian, with major restoration by
Henry Woodyer
Henry Woodyer (1816–1896) was an English architect, a pupil of William Butterfield and a disciple of A. W. N. Pugin and the Ecclesiologists.
Life
Woodyer was born in Guildford, Surrey, England, in 1816, the son of a successful, highly resp ...
in 1852–3 and 1876. Of note is the ornate 17th-century monument to
Sir Thomas Rich
Sir Thomas Rich, 1st Baronet (c. 1601 – 15 October 1667) was an English merchant and politician who sat in House of Commons in 1660. He established Sir Thomas Rich's School, a grammar school.memorial brasses (largely hidden beneath the carpet). The church is a Grade II* listed building.Hugh Pearson was a notable Victorian vicar at the church, under whom many of the changes took place. Pearson Hall (the village hall) and Pearson Road in the village are named after him.
Graves
Some burials in the churchyard:
* Edmund John Phipps-Hornby VC, CB, CMG, DL (1857–1947), a recipient of the
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously ...
* Major General
Llewelyn Alberic Emilius Price-Davies
Major-general (United Kingdom), Major General Llewelyn Alberic Emilius Price-Davies, (30 June 1878 – 26 December 1965) was a senior British Army officer and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the ...
VC CB CMG DSO (1878–1965), another recipient of the Victoria Cross
* Brigadier Sir Neil Hamilton Fairley KBE CStJ FRACP FRCP FRCPE FRS (1891–1966), Australian physician and soldier
Some burials in the church:
*
John Blagrave (major)
John Blagrave (1630 – March 1704) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons of England, House of Commons at various times between 1660 and 1685.
Blagrave was the son of Anthony Blagrave of Bulmershe Court at Earley, Berkshir ...
Sir Thomas Rich, 1st Baronet
Sir Thomas Rich, 1st Baronet (c. 1601 – 15 October 1667) was an English merchant and politician who sat in House of Commons in 1660. He established Sir Thomas Rich's School, a grammar school.William Scott, 1st Baron Stowell
William Scott, 1st Baron Stowell (17 October 174528 January 1836) was an English judge and jurist. He served as Judge of the High Court of Admiralty from 1798 to 1828.
Background and education
Scott was born at Heworth, a village about four m ...
*
Robert Palmer (MP)
Robert Palmer, JP (31 January 1793 – 24 November 1872) was an English gentleman from Berkshire and Tory/Conservative Member of Parliament.
The son of Robert Palmer Senior and Jane Bowles, he lived at Holme Park in Sonning
Sonning is ...