Out for a walk in Sonning ...

After the excitement of the amphibious cars yesterday we finally set out on our walk into Sonning ...

... we pass this fun place with its rope swing and pallet sledge on quite a high bank ... and looking back can see Still Rockin' tucked into her mooring on the bend of the River Thames

We turned down a lane which took us to this rather interesting building ... possibly a church ... St Andrew's Church as it turned out to be.

This is the St Sarik Room built in 2000 as a creche for the village and to accommodate young children whilst parents attended church services. The archway which used to be at the 'other' end of the building to the left and is inscribed 'Mortuary Chapel' where from the 1700's bodies would lie before burial.  The estate gardener gave us this information, telling us that the building on the left used to be his 'shed' where inside was still the platform hung by chains from the ceiling on which bodies were laid.

This wonderful oak door took us into a new area and building ...
St Andrew's Ark and Church administration offices ...

A lovely setting

The South door and monument to Mrs Elizabeth Wilson who died in 1742

St Andrew's Parish Church, Sonning, Berkshire

A 10th century carved panel from a former ecclesiastical building has been incorporated into a buttress

Differing ceiling panels ... the red ones over the Chancel and gold ones over the Nave ...

and beamed ceilings in the North and South Aisles

click on any of the photographs to enlarge

The monument is to Canon Pearson who was a vicar here for 40 years and was responsible for restoring the church in 1852.  He died in 1882.

Beautiful carvings and tapestries around the Altar

Looking back towards the tower

Stained glass dating back to 1750

Victorian Gothic pulpit, the font was just as spectacular, but I forgot to take a picture!

Some really nice brass monuments, the oldest (left above) is that of Laurence Fyton dating from 1434 and the others mainly of the Barker family whose vault lies under the Chancel.

Chandelier dating back to 1675

Ancient woodwork screen in the South Aisle and 13th century  windows

Looking from the rear of the Southth Aisle, through the Nave into the North Aisle and there's the splendid Victorian Gothic font too!

Modern glass portraying St Andrew

An imprint under the carpet

Gravestones within the church dating as far back as 1587

So many young men from this one village.

St Andrew's Church appears to me to be rather 'high church' in a rather affluent area, having money in the coffers to build several new buildings (St Sarik Room and the new St Andrew's Ark and administration buildings) in under 17 years.  The estate gardener also told us that Theresa May lives in the village and attends services when in residence.