All Saints', Ockham
with St Michael's Chapel, Downside
ALL SAINTS' CHURCH
All Saints’ Ockham has been very much at the centre of the local community for nearly 1,000 years. It is probable that the church mentioned in the Domesday Book was a Saxon foundation, possibly from the early to mid-11th century. The earliest part of the present building dates from the latter half of the 12th century and has been added to over the centuries, with the last addition being the vestry and toilet in the north-east corner added in the early 21st century.
All Saints’ is Grade 1 listed and is noted for its seven-lancet stained glass east window, one of only two in England. it has been suggested that it may have come from the ruins of the nearby Newark Priory after the Dissolution as it appears to have replaced an original three-lancet window. All Saints’ is covered in Simon Jenkins’ 1999 book England’s Thousand Best Churches. Please note the church is kept locked but visits can be arranged by emailing info@ockhamchurch.org.uk
WILLIAM OF OCKHAM
All Saints' was probably the church of William of Ockham, the Franciscan friar, scholastic philosopher and theologian who was born in the village and is considered to be one of the major figures of medieval thought. He is commonly known today for Occam’s Razor, the problem-solving principle that recommends searching for explanations constructed with the smallest possible set of elements. In layman’s terms: The simplest solution is usually the best. William was excommunicated by Pope John XXII and fled to Munich, where he died, probably of the plague in 1347. A stained glass window in his honour was unveiled by Archbishop Coggan in 1985.
RYSBRACK SCULPTURE
All Saints’ has a large sculpture by Rysbrack , the 18th century Flemish sculptor, of Peter the first Lord King, an English lawyer and politician who was Lord High Chancellor from 1725-1733. The King Chapel was added to All Saint’s to hold the sculpture, which also features his wife Anne Seys and symbols of office. It is most unusual to find a Rysbrack in a parish church, many of his works are in Westminster Abbey.
ST MICHAEL'S CHAPEL, DOWNSIDE
The Chapel was originally the Downside village bake house. When St Matthew’s Church, Hatchford was demolished in the 1960s the owner of the Cobham Park Estate offered residents use of the now disused bakery as a place of worship. Earlier this century the chapel was extended and upgraded to 21st century standards. St Michael’s Chapel is available for hire. Email info@ockhamchurch.org.uk for more information.
