Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Twyford, Buckinghamshire
Twyford's impressive church is set in a big, tree dotted churchyard in which there is a cross of very early date, probably 13th century.
After the Dissolution of the Monasteries the church and house (part of an Augustinian priory) was purchased by the Risley family, who incorporated the south transept into their house and demolished the nave. Their attempts to drive out the parishioners failed and the chancel became the parish church.
The present plain bell tower was built on the site of the nave and serves as a porch.
The church is wide, spacious and very much in the Early English style, as exemplified by the wonderful group of five lancets at the east end, and the two groups of three lancets a little to the north and south. Two of the southern lancets contain wonderful stained glass from the 13th and 14th centuries, notably lozenge shaped panels. The east window has 19th century glass in matching style.
