The Church of St James in Aston is a Grade II listed church built in 1838 and funded by private subscription and from funds invested by the then vicar of Bampton, C. L. Kerby, and his predecessor George Richards who reportedly initiated the scheme. The church was consecrated as a chapel of ease with a burial ground in 1839, becoming, in 1857, the parish church for Bampton Aston, including Aston, Cote and the parochial chapelry of Shifford, until it became part of Bampton with Clanfield in 1976.
It was designed by Thomas Greenshields of Oxford in plain 13th century style, is of stone with a concrete-tiled roof; it comprises chancel, nave with north and south transepts, and a west tower to which a steeple was added in 1860. Restorations were carried out reportedly by Gothic Revival architect, Joseph Clarke in 1862, and by H. G. W. Drinkwater between 1885 and 1889, when the chancel was remodelled and refitted, a new altar, lectern, and seating were provided, and the octagonal stone font, given by the Revd. John Nelson in 1839, was moved to a 'more suitable' position. Commemorative stained glass in the east window was given in 1948, when the altar was lowered and a reredos removed; more commemorative glass was given in 1955, and new windows with coloured medallions were inserted in 1969. The organ dates from 1896 and was electrified in 1949. The church can accommodate a congregation of about 200. The present ring of six bells were restored and re-hung in 1992 by White’s of Appleton following two years of local fund-raising.
****************** ********************
At waypoint one, you will find a pair of gates, what is the year? 19AB
At waypoint two, at right of the door, is a window in memory of Minnie ..... 18CD - 19EF
At waypoint three, you will find a bench in memory of Roger ..... He was born on GH.JK.19LM
The cache is located at - N 51° 43.(B-K) (A-J) (D+F)' W 1° 30.(C-E) (L-G) (H+M)'
Checksum for all the numbers in the final coordinates is 41
****************** ********************
For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro.co.uk
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
****************** *******************