A Brief History of St Martin’s Church
There has been a church on the site since the 11th century. By 1800 the old medieval church was becoming dilapidated and dangerous. Permission was granted for the church to be demolished, and the 4th Duke of Marlborough paid for building materials for the new church, which was opened in 1804.
Oxford’s Bodleian library holds the parish registers recording baptisms, marriages, and burials dating from 1545.
The present Church was remodeled in 1891 by A.W. Blomfield, with changes to the chancel, nave, and windows, and the adding of pinnacles to the tower. The tower houses a peal of 6 bells (weblink to St Martin’s Bell’s), and the church clock which was installed in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. The interior of the church is noted for its windows and memorials. On the south side is a stained-glass window showing St Michael and St George, given by Consuelo, wife of the 9th Duke of Marlborough in memory of her son Ivor. The adjacent Churchill Memorial window (weblink to Churchill memorial webpage) was installed in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s death. It was unveiled by HRH the Duchess of Cornwall (now Her Majesty Queen Camilla).
The garter banner of Lady Mary Soames, which was moved from St George’s Chapel when she died, hangs above the vestry.
There is a fine 1906 pipe organ, situated in the north side of the chancel, which was dismantled in 2021 and rebuilt in 2022.
A major feature of our church is the churchyard. Alongside many 18th century graves, we have the grave of Sir Winston Churchill (weblink to the Churchill grave webpage) and the graves of many members of his family.
The church is open daily and welcomes visitors from all over the world.
