The chancel
of St Mary the Virgin, built at around the same time as the north
aisle, was re-roofed at the end of the 19th century when the rest
of the church was restored. The cost of this work, around £1,100
was borne by the rector at that time, the Reverend F. R. Wickham.
The east
window, replacing the former window from the Decorated period, is
by C.E. Kempe and dates from 1897. It is in memory of Emily Dora Ponsonby,
wife of the Hon. Edwin Ponsonby. The reredos also dates from around
this time and is in memory of the Reverend Thomas John Hearne, rector
from 1884 to 1900, and his wife.
The north
door is blocked off on the outside but a cavity behind the door has
been occupied regularly for many years by a colony of bees. This door
probably led to a vestry which was built between 1825-1830, but which
has long since disappeared.
The small
rectangular window in the south wall of the chancel has its origins
in the 14th century, but had been closed up until it was re-opened
at the expense of the Reverend F. R. Marriott. The brass chandelier
is from the 18th century.
The fine
brass lectern was given to the church also in memory of the Reverend
Thomas John Hearne, by his sons and daughters.
St Mary
the Virgin's simple stone font dates from the Early English period,
and is octagonal and undecorated.
Included
in the church Plate is an Elizabethan silver chalice with a paten
lid inscribed with the year 1574; and a fine silver flagon dated 1711
and inscribed thus:
The
gift of Mrs Susanna Cresswell, daughter of John Cresswell of Purston
in Northampton Shire to the Parish Church of Wootton in Oxford Shire
who departed this life ye 18th January 1710.
John
Cresswell of Purston would appear to be one of the three sons of Richard
Cresswell of Barnehurst by Joan Dyott of Stitchbrook and Lichfield,
and a forebeare and collateral of the Cresswells of Pinkney Park,
Wiltshire.
There
is a silver paten dating from the same period (1710); and another
silver chalice and paten of the 18th century inscribed thus:
The
gift of Sybilla Bowsher, widow of Robert Bowsher, Rector of Wootton
and sister of Susanna Cresswell
There
is also a modern silver chalice and paten given by an anonymous donor
in 1973.
