St Mary's Church History
There was a late Saxon church at Adderbury, and the village was part of a large royal estate by the 11th century. King Athelstan granted the manor of Adderbury to the See of Winchester in 1014. Sometime around 1250 the church was completely rebuilt, with the transepts and nave arcades remaining from the 13th century building.
Much of the remainder is the result of further work in the 14th century, which included widening the aisles and raising the nave roof and transepts. In 1408-1419 New College, Oxford University, built the chancel in honour of William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and founder of the college. Wykeham's head and coat of arms are above the east window.
In the 18th century, St Mary's fell into disrepair. In the 19th century restoration was carried out in phases: sensitively by the architect J.C. Buckler between 1831 and 1834 and by the architect Sir George Gilbert Scott between 1866 and 1870, and less sensitively by Sir George's son John Oldrid Scott in 1886.
Much of the remainder is the result of further work in the 14th century, which included widening the aisles and raising the nave roof and transepts. In 1408-1419 New College, Oxford University, built the chancel in honour of William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and founder of the college. Wykeham's head and coat of arms are above the east window.
In the 18th century, St Mary's fell into disrepair. In the 19th century restoration was carried out in phases: sensitively by the architect J.C. Buckler between 1831 and 1834 and by the architect Sir George Gilbert Scott between 1866 and 1870, and less sensitively by Sir George's son John Oldrid Scott in 1886.
