St James
Somerton, Oxfordshire
This is an important Cherwell Valley church, built in the 13th and 14th centuries but embellished with battlements and pinnacles a century or so later.
Steeple Aston is a fine rural medieval church some of which founded in Saxon times and finished in a number of styles. It has nave, chancel,north and south aisles , and lady chapel. There is a fine monument to a local Georgian dignitary in the lady chapel. We have very early pew ends which are protected.
We own one of the finest pieces of Opus Anglicanum embroidery in Britain. It is unique. We cannot house it in the church. It is in the the Victoria and Albert Museum for safe keeping , recently it featured prominently in an exhibition of this embroidery. Unlike most examples which are decorative this example tells a story. There are two banners in the church explaining it and some pictures around the church.
We are a warm and welcoming church community.