Friends of St Martin's, BladonAbout the Church
St Martin's Church in Bladon near Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, is the Church of England parish church of Bladon-with-Woodstock. It is best known for the graves of the Spencer-Churchill family, including Sir Winston Churchill, in its churchyard. The first church on the current site was probably built in the 11th or 12th century. The earliest references to the church state that John de London, Henry III's chaplain, obtained from the King a grant of the Manor of Bladon, with the advowson of the Rectory in 1269. A print hung in the present St Martin's shows the old church before its demolition in 1802 shows an ornate Norman doorway to the south porch, which suggests a 12th or late 11th century date for the building. It shows also a clerestory that would have increased natural light in the nave. There is no record of the church building itself until 1802, when the parish petitioned the Bishop of Oxford to grant them a new building as the old one was becoming dilapidated and dangerous. Permission was granted, the medieval church was demolished, the 4th Duke of Marlborough paid for building materials and the new church was opened in 1804. In 1891 the architect A.W. Blomfield rebuilt the chancel, restored the nave and added new windows, and added pinnacles on the tower. The work was carried out largely at the expense of the rector, Arthur Majendie, and resulted in the creation of the present church. Because of these efforts, three windows in the chancel are dedicated to his memory by his widow and children. In 1893, Majendie gave a lych gate in memory of his mother. In 1937, a statue of Saint Martin was placed in a niche over the porch. |
The History of the Friends
The inaugural meeting of the Friends of St Martin's was held on the 30th October, 2001. At that meeting, which was attended by the then Rector, the Rev. Canon Roger Humphreys and the Churchwardens, a Committee for the Friends was formed. The meeting closed without a Chairman having been appointed, but before the next meeting of the group, the Rev. David Muston had agreed to take on the job and he continued in this capacity until he was succeeded by Mr Christopher Stuart Clark in 2013. In 2002 we welcomed our first Patron when the Lady Soames agreed to act in that capacity. Following the death of Lady Soames, Lady Henrietta, Spencer-Churchill, daughter of the 11th Duke of Marlborough has agreed to be our Patron.
Before that first meeting a newsletter had been circulated around Bladon, a village of around 300 households with a population of approximately 700, and in response to this, £900 had been received to start the venture and £110 pledged in monthly payments.
The Church of St Martin's was suffering an acute shortage of cash and this was the main motive behind the initiative. The other reason was to attempt to bring the Church and village community together. It was realised that, although the Church is valued by most villagers, many people are either unable or unwilling to be regular Church goers. The Friends gives an opportunity of supporting the Church to people who come to Church occasionally, but tend to fall by the wayside when it came to regular Church going as well as those of no faith who support the Church and recognise the contribution it makes to a small community like Bladon.
On the 16th April, 2002 the Friends of St Martin's Bladon was registered with the Charity Commissioners. The fact that the first grant was to St Martin's Parochial Church Council for £1,000 to help them with their finances is significant. Since then grants have been made totalling over £35,000. The Friends have financed many projects including heating for both the Church and the Church Room, which serves as a Community Centre for the village, painting the inside of the Church, buying postcards to be sold on the Church sales table, as well as buying hymn books and choir robes.
Money is raised by holding social events which also fulfil the aim of fostering community spirit, and by individuals giving a set sum every month. We have also received substantial grants from the Trusthouse Charitable Foundation, following proposals made to the Foundation by the 11th Duke of Marlborough who was a trustee.
Some events are solely for strengthening community ties, for example on several occasions all societies in Bladon such as the Flower Club, Gardens Society, Yoga Group, School representatives, as well as those from the Churches, both Anglican and Methodist have been invited along to a "Welcome to Bladon" event to meet any members of the community, new or long term. The Friends have provided tea and cake and also information about two social groups which they organise, the Bladon Toddlers and the Bladon Lunch Club. Other events have included visits to the Theatre, many suppers where entertainment has been provided, from singing clergy to a magic show. We had an auction of promises when our Member of Parliament, David Cameron, (before he became leader of the Conservative Party) came along and auctioned tea on the terrace of the House of Commons.
Our last event was the Patronal Feast in 2019, Covid having put a stop to social events since then. We look forward to being able to recommence soon.
List of Donations Made
Over the years we have made many donations to St Martin's Church, to assist with various projects.
These include:
- replacing the heaters in the Church
- decorating the inside of the Church
- refurbishing the Church Room
- refurbishing the Bier House and Lychgate
- refurbishing the organ
- repairs to the Church clock
Not all our supporters or Committee members live in Bladon. If you would like to join the Friends or be informed about their activities, please contact our treasurer Mr Bill Corser either by emailing him on [email protected] phoning on 01993 813071.
The inaugural meeting of the Friends of St Martin's was held on the 30th October, 2001. At that meeting, which was attended by the then Rector, the Rev. Canon Roger Humphreys and the Churchwardens, a Committee for the Friends was formed. The meeting closed without a Chairman having been appointed, but before the next meeting of the group, the Rev. David Muston had agreed to take on the job and he continued in this capacity until he was succeeded by Mr Christopher Stuart Clark in 2013. In 2002 we welcomed our first Patron when the Lady Soames agreed to act in that capacity. Following the death of Lady Soames, Lady Henrietta, Spencer-Churchill, daughter of the 11th Duke of Marlborough has agreed to be our Patron.
Before that first meeting a newsletter had been circulated around Bladon, a village of around 300 households with a population of approximately 700, and in response to this, £900 had been received to start the venture and £110 pledged in monthly payments.
The Church of St Martin's was suffering an acute shortage of cash and this was the main motive behind the initiative. The other reason was to attempt to bring the Church and village community together. It was realised that, although the Church is valued by most villagers, many people are either unable or unwilling to be regular Church goers. The Friends gives an opportunity of supporting the Church to people who come to Church occasionally, but tend to fall by the wayside when it came to regular Church going as well as those of no faith who support the Church and recognise the contribution it makes to a small community like Bladon.
On the 16th April, 2002 the Friends of St Martin's Bladon was registered with the Charity Commissioners. The fact that the first grant was to St Martin's Parochial Church Council for £1,000 to help them with their finances is significant. Since then grants have been made totalling over £35,000. The Friends have financed many projects including heating for both the Church and the Church Room, which serves as a Community Centre for the village, painting the inside of the Church, buying postcards to be sold on the Church sales table, as well as buying hymn books and choir robes.
Money is raised by holding social events which also fulfil the aim of fostering community spirit, and by individuals giving a set sum every month. We have also received substantial grants from the Trusthouse Charitable Foundation, following proposals made to the Foundation by the 11th Duke of Marlborough who was a trustee.
Some events are solely for strengthening community ties, for example on several occasions all societies in Bladon such as the Flower Club, Gardens Society, Yoga Group, School representatives, as well as those from the Churches, both Anglican and Methodist have been invited along to a "Welcome to Bladon" event to meet any members of the community, new or long term. The Friends have provided tea and cake and also information about two social groups which they organise, the Bladon Toddlers and the Bladon Lunch Club. Other events have included visits to the Theatre, many suppers where entertainment has been provided, from singing clergy to a magic show. We had an auction of promises when our Member of Parliament, David Cameron, (before he became leader of the Conservative Party) came along and auctioned tea on the terrace of the House of Commons.
Our last event was the Patronal Feast in 2019, Covid having put a stop to social events since then. We look forward to being able to recommence soon.
List of Donations Made
Over the years we have made many donations to St Martin's Church, to assist with various projects.
These include:
- replacing the heaters in the Church
- decorating the inside of the Church
- refurbishing the Church Room
- refurbishing the Bier House and Lychgate
- refurbishing the organ
- repairs to the Church clock
Not all our supporters or Committee members live in Bladon. If you would like to join the Friends or be informed about their activities, please contact our treasurer Mr Bill Corser either by emailing him on [email protected] phoning on 01993 813071.