ST MARY, GLYMPTON

The area of Glympton was known under a great number of different names throughout history. In a charter c. 1049–1052, the name is Glimtune; in Domesday Book, 1085, Glintone. In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, Clinton and Clyton. From the end of the thirteenth century, Glimpton or Glympton. In some documents Glympton is called Glympton-in-the-hole. The River Glyme flows in the bottom of a saucer-shaped hollow, flowing to Blenheim Park and later joining the Evenlode near Bladon. Fossil remains, found in the quarry near the village, include parts of the backbone of Cetiosaurus, which was about 50 feet long and 10 feet in height. Flint implements have been found, and there is a ‘Tumulus’ (a burial mound) just beyond the boundary of the Parish, in a field opposite a roadside dwelling on the Wootton Road. It is called Copping Knoll and is about 150 yards from the road. Evidence of Roman occupation are numerous. As early as the beginning of the fourteenth century there is written documentation of a Manor House having existed, but there is no evidence as to its site.

At the latest, the church was built in 1122 and was served by the Augustinian Priory of Kenilworth in Warwickshire. The oldest parts which survive today are the columns of the chancel arch, the west tower arch, the corbels supporting the roof, and the font (which may have been Norman and was rediscovered in 1872 in the village of Glympton when it was being used as a water trough). Some stones with zig-zag Norman work are built into the Tower and were probably part of the old chancel arch.

The present chancel arch was restored in 1846 when the high pews were removed and a new pulpit and lectern installed; some of this old woodwork can be seen in the pews. In 1872 the Chancel was rebuilt, with new windows installed in the nave, and the porch and vestry added. In 1875 J.W. Walker of London installed a single-manual organ in the chancel area (photographs below). Renovations by Eric Towler in 1958 include the re-flooring of the Belfry Tower, the replacement of the Victorian tiles in the Chancel floor with Portland stone, the renovation of the interior roof of the Chancel, and the cleaning and colouring of its walls. In 1962, the old organ was replaced with a new J.W. Walker instrument, and several years later was moved to its present location on a raised platform in the back of the church.

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The church is open to visitors during daylight hours. The right of way is pedestrian, and car access is by courtesy only, but may be obtained by visiting the lodge on Wootton-Middle Barton Road.

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