St Boniface
Nursling, Hampshire
This is a small rural church with a great history and wonderful peaceful atmosphere.
The cornerstone of the church was laid in April 1854 and the consecration of the church took place on 25th October 1855 by which time unfortunately Major Colt had died, but his widow Jane completed and furnished it in his memory.
The church is built in the decorated Gothic style, the arch roof and pews being of oak. the exterior walls are of Plymouth Winstone relieved with Caen dressing of which the spire is built. On either side of the chancel steps the carved faces of Major Colt and his wife can be seen gazing down. the most interesting aspects of the church are the stained glass windows, which are mentioned in many refreence books on the subject of stained glass.
The first encumbant was Revd CA Harris who later because Bishop of Gibraltar. Revd Wilson, vicar from 1863-1888, gave a beautiful Italian marble and alabaster fresco reredos. The design represents the angelic adoration of the divine majesty and is probably part of an old triptych of the nativity. In 1875 he paid for the vestry to be extended and in 1885 to have the church lengthened; the west door was closed up and a south porch added to save the draught blowing through the church.
Field Marshall, Sir Neville Bowles Chamberlain was a distinguised member of our comminity and chose to be buried in the churchyard with full military honours in 1902 instead of in Westminster Abbey as he was entitled to be.
The two main windows were destroyed by a bomb blast during World War II. Before the damage the west window depicted the four gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Miraculously the figure of John (whom the church is named after) survived. The east window was replaced at the end of the war with a design of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The 'Breeches Bible' is a book collectors term for the Geneva Bible of 1560. The term derives from the reference in Genesis 3:7 to Adam and Eve clothing themselves in 'breeches' made from fig leaves. A copy of this was presented by Mr and Mrs E Horn on the occasion of the 150th anniversary and can be found in the side chapel.
