Bampton - Church of St Mary the Virgin

St Mary the Virgin church is one of the largest in West Oxfordshire, mostly a 13th and 14th century remodelling of a Norman building. The church is cruciform, with north and south aisles and a south east chapel. The central tower bears a lovely octagonal spire and statues on pedestals at the four corners. There is a 14th century stone reredos of Christ and the twelve apostles behind the high altar and a two-tiered Easter Sepulchre to the north of it in the chancel is exceptionally elaborate. Note the sets of graduated lancet windows throughout the church. In the Lady Chapel are what may be the remains of the shrine of Saint Beornwald. The 13th century sedilia and piscina are quite richly carved, and the 14th century west doorway and gabled porch have ballflower decoration. The 19th century organ case is an enthusiastic Gothic revivalist piece. Cherubs abound on the Baroque monuments in the Horde Chapel. For many centuries, Bampton had three vicars at a time, and three large former vicarages stand north, south and east of the church.

The church is a Grade I listed building