OXFORD DIOCESE PILGRIM PROJECT OXFORD DIOCESE PILGRIM PROJECT You might also like to visit other nearby Oxford Diocese Pilgrim Project: churches in the Pilgrim Project: St Michael & St Mary Magdalene, St Thomas of Canterbury, Goring Easthampstead Site of ancient priory RG12 7ET Holy Trinity, Cookham Website: Stanley Spencer www.stmichaelseasthampstead.org.uk St Giles, Stoke Poges Gray’s ‘Elegy’ PILGRIMAGE PRAYER Pilgrim God, You are our origin and our destination. Travel with us, we pray, in every pilgrimage of faith, and every journey of the heart. Give us the courage to set off, the nourishment we need to travel well, and the welcome we long for at our journey’s end. So may we grow in grace and love for you and in the service of others. through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford ST MICHAEL & ST MARY MAGDALENE, Illustrations by Brian Hall © Diocese of Oxford EASTHAMPSTEAD St Michael and St Mary Magdalene is a holy place with treasures from every age. In 635 St Birinus baptised King Cyngils here before moving to Dorchester. From the stone church of c1160 many furnishings survive. Rebuilt 1865–7, the present church is an impressive monument to the Arts and Crafts and Pre-Raphaelite movements, with windows by Morris and Burne-Jones. St Birinus’ Spring (635) in the churchyard was of Charles I, reused for Charles II. Pray for all in risen Lord. Pray that we may always move from The High Altar Reredos (1873–77) is made of close to the War Memorial, designed by the Arts authority that they may rule justly and seek the our old ways to grow in the image of Christ. Opus Sectile. The outer panels depict the four and Crafts architect, Temple-Moore. By tradition common good. Evangelists with their symbols. The centre panel St Birinus baptised King Cyngils of Wessex here The front of the Pulpit (1631) is carved with depicts the Crucifixion with Jesus reigning from in the presence of St Oswald. Give thanks for the Pope was a friend of Elijah Fenton, poet and flourishing plants. In the inscription on the left the Cross with compassion. Give thanks that saints who established the faith in our land and tutor to the Trumbull family who leased William Aylward compares his gift of the Pulpit in Communion we share in Jesus’ death and pray that we too may draw others to Christ. Easthampstead Park. The epitaph by Alexander to the generosity of the Widow’s mite in St Luke resurrection. Pope (1730) in the north aisle extols Fenton’s 21:2–3. Pray that we may be generous with our The Font (c1160) links us with the first stone virtues. Give thanks for those who have formed time, talents and money in Christ’s service. On the south side of the Chancel Arch a brass to church. It has eight sides; seven for the days and fostered Christian qualities in us. Thomas Berwyk (1443), a clerk at Eton Chapel, of Creation, and an eighth for our re-creation The Last Judgement Window (1876) above the asks in Latin that we pray for his soul. Pray for through the Resurrection of Jesus. Give thanks Revd Osborne Gordon, Ruskin’s tutor at Christ High Altar was a collaboration between Burne- those whom we love but see no longer. for our own baptism and for the new creation we Church and friend of the Pre-Raphaelites, rebuilt Jones and William Morris. At the top is Christ in have become in Christ. the Church 1865–67. In the Resurrection Glory. Below are 12 Elders who will judge God’s The Rood Screen (15thC) in the Downshire Window (1878) in the north aisle, Burne- people. In the centre is St Michael with the Book Chapel stood between the Nave and Chancel Easthampstead was a Royal Manor from the Jones, following John 20, 11–18, shows St Mary of Life. Either side angels’ trumpets raise the representing the Gate of Heaven. Pray that our Saxon kings to the reign of Charles I. The Magdalene on the left looking for the dead dead. Pray that we may have the courage and pilgrimage on earth may help us grow closer to Royal Arms (1625) under the tower are those Christ, and on the right finding new life in our wisdom to change our lives in Christ’s love. God in heaven..