St Andrew's Church, Sonning
Encyclopedia
St Andrew's Church is in a central position in the village of Sonning
, Berkshire
, England
, close to the River Thames
.
, 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
, 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.
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 in 1852–3 and 1876. Of note is the ornate 17th century monument to Sir Thomas Rich
, now hidden in the base of the tower. In 1853, it was called "the vilest paganism imaginable".
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.
Sonning
Sonning, occasionally called Sonning-on-Thames is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Wokingham in the English county of Berkshire, a few miles east of Reading. The village is situated on the River Thames and was described by Jerome K...
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, close to the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
.
Location
The church is located close to the historic Bishop's PalaceSonning Bishop's Palace
Sonning Bishop's Palace was a former episcopal palace at Sonning, east of Reading, in Berkshire, England.The palace was in Holme Park near the River Thames. It was a residence of the Bishops of Salisbury....
, which has long since disappeared apart from some grassy mounds. The historic Bull Inn
Bull Inn, Sonning
The Bull Inn is an historic public house — now also a restaurant and hotel — in the centre of the village of Sonning in Berkshire, England.- Overview :...
is immediately next to the church away from the river and is owned by the church. Also adjoining the churchyard is Deanery Gardens
Deanery Gardens
The Deanery and Deanery Garden is a garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll, with a house designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, in Sonning, Berkshire, England....
, an early 20th century Edwin Lutyens
Edwin Lutyens
Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, OM, KCIE, PRA, FRIBA was a British architect who is known for imaginatively adapting traditional architectural styles to the requirements of his era...
house with a Gertrude Jekyll
Gertrude Jekyll
Gertrude Jekyll was an influential British garden designer, writer, and artist. She created over 400 gardens in the UK, Europe and the USA and contributed over 1,000 articles to Country Life, The Garden and other magazines.-Early life:...
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
Sonning Bridge is a road bridge across the River Thames at Sonning, Berkshire. It links Sonning with Sonning Eye and crosses the Thames on the reach above Shiplake Lock, just short of Sonning Lock. It is a brick arch bridge completed in 1775, to replace an earlier wooden bridge...
, leading over the Thames into Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
, with the Great House at Sonning
Great House at Sonning
The Great House at Sonning is a hotel and restaurant with a riverside garden on the River Thames near Sonning Bridge at Sonning, Berkshire, England...
, a historic public house, now a hotel and restaurant, next to it on the river.
History
Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxon may refer to:* Anglo-Saxons, a group that invaded Britain** Old English, their language** Anglo-Saxon England, their history, one of various ships* White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, an ethnicity* Anglo-Saxon economy, modern macroeconomic term...
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
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
, with major restoration
Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
by Henry Woodyer in 1852–3 and 1876. Of note is the ornate 17th century monument to Sir Thomas Rich
Sir Thomas Rich, 1st Baronet
Sir Thomas Rich was an English merchant and politician who sat in House of Commons in 1660. He established Sir Thomas Rich's School, a grammar school....
, now hidden in the base of the tower. In 1853, it was called "the vilest paganism imaginable".
Hugh Pearson
Hugh Pearson
Hugh Pearson was vicar of Sonning and a Canon at Windsor, both in Berkshire, England.- Life :Hugh Pearson was the son of Hugh Nicholas Pearson , who was Dean of Salisbury . He was born in Oxford and studied briefly at Eton College, before moving on to Harrow School, where he was Head Boy...
was a notable Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
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
The following are notable burials in the churchyard:- Edmund John Phipps-HornbyEdmund John Phipps-HornbyBrigadier General Edmund John Phipps-Hornby VC, CB, CMG, DL was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Background:Phipps-Hornby was born in Lordington,...
VC, CB, CMG, DL (1857–1947), a recipient of the Victoria CrossVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.... - Major General Llewelyn Alberic Emilius Price-Davies VC CB CMG DSO (1878–1965), another recipient of the Victoria Cross
- Brigadier Sir Neil Hamilton FairleyNeil Hamilton FairleyBrigadier Sir Neil Hamilton Fairley KBE CStJ FRACP FRCP FRCPE FRS was an Australian physician, medical scientist, and army officer; who was instrumental in saving thousands of Allied lives from malaria and other diseases....
KBE CStJ FRACP FRCP FRCPE FRS (1891–1966), Australian physician and soldier