St. Andrew's Church Building
St. Andrew's Church Building
St. Andrew's Church Building
The parish church of St. Andrew's in Oving was built in the Early English style around 1220. You will certainly feel the atmosphere of worship and prayer as you enter the building which has built up over the course of the centuries. It is humbling to think that people have prayed here for over 800 years and now as then the church plays an important role in the life of the community.
The most dramatic feature of the church is the magnificent spire which is a real landmark. It played an important part in our country's history by guiding pilots back to their base in Tangmere in World War Two and is especially noteworthy for its role during the Battle of Britain.
The photograph on the left shows a flypast by vintage aircraft in 2018.
The exterior arch of the north doorway has been described as being 'the showpiece of Oving'
and is certainly the finest piece of medieval carving in the whole church.
During a restoration in 1881, traces were found of an earlier Norman church. Some of its stones had been used in building the present church and two of them, with zig zag markings, can be seen in the wall of the North transept. An ancient altar stone was also discovered at this time buried under the tower arch where it had lain since 1550 when all stone altars were removed because of their Papist links. It is now in the position in which it was probably first used.
None of the stained glass is older than the 19th century. The window over the altar depicting Faith, Hope and Charity is by Powell and Son of London.
The church has four bells, only one of which is still functional. All of them are inscribed and dated by their founders; one by Thomas Giles 1613, two by Brain Eldridge dated 1627 and 1655 and the fourth by Clement Toscar 1702.
At one time there was a semi-circular pew, known as the vicar's pew, round the east pillar of the south transept arch. Some of its occupants were tucked round the corner out of sight of the clergy in the chancel and were able to amuse themselves during long sermons by carving their names in the stone which are still clearly visible today.
One other point of note is a fine example of a comparatively rare Priest's door from the early 13th century.
The Quinquennial inspection and subsequent Report was carried out in August 2022 and there were no items of 'utmost urgency' notified - the Report can be viewed in full here by clicking on the button below.
