At the meeting of Council on 5 October 2021 a sum of £64,700 was awarded to 6 churches.
The largest grants of £20,000 were awarded to two churches: St Thomas of Canterbury at Goring and St Mary the Virgin, Cogges near Witney.
St Thomas of Canterbury, Goring (Grade I) for the overhaul of its pipe organ, a principal feature of this medieval church which has a rich musical heritage. The church was built about 1100 and has undergone many alterations over the centuries. Its last major refurbishment was in 1888 when the organ was installed in the purpose-buil Organ Chamber. As at July 2021 the fund-raising campaign recorded a sum of £175,000 with some funding coming from specialist charities.
St Mary the Virgin, Cogges (Grade I) received a grant for roof and rainwater goods repairs. The church has its origins in the C12 and is part of a surviving medieval complex in the village. It contains a lavish C14 chapel built by the de Grey family and during its chequered history had associations with Eton College. Damaged during the Civil War it was repaired by William Blake and contains monuments to the Blake family in its North chapel.
St Mary, Pyrton (Grade II*) received a grant of £10,500 for upgrading the heating the lighting as well as improvements to the kitchen area. The knapped flintwork church has its origins in the C12 but was almost entirely rebuilt in 1856 by J C Buckler (1793-1894) and is considered to be one of his best works.
All Saints, Great Bourton (Grade II) received a grant of £7,000 for repairs to the church Lychgate. This C13 church was entirely rebuilt in 1863 by William White (1825-1900) and has the unusual feature of a bell tower combined with the Lychgate. It is believed there are probably only three churches in England with this feature.
Sandford St Martin, Sandford (Grade II*) received a grant of £3,000 for repairs to the South Porch. The church dates from the C12 with many alterations taking place over the years. In 1856 it was restored by G E Street and includes an elaborate tower screen.
St Andrew, Great Rollright received a grant of £2,000 for repairs to a section of the collapsed dry-stone west wall which forms a boundary between the churchyard and school playground. The church altered and added to over the centuries contains a fine Norman tympanum
In addition, Council noted that an Emergency Grant of £2,200 for drainage works and woodworm treatment had been awarded to St John the Baptist, Kidmore End and one roof alarm grant of £5,370 had been awarded
Further details can be found by going to Grants Awarded section of this website.