History
The patron of the church is St. Giles, who lived in the ninth century. Giles was wounded when the king while hunting, shot at a hind which Giles had made a pet. The King in recognition for the bravery shown by Giles, founded a monastery. The parish church is dedicated to St Giles, hence the emblem of an arrow with a hind.The first church at Wendlebury was built in the late 1100’s, in a cruciform style, and was said to be very beautiful. However, it was built on clay sub-soil and its foundations had insufficient depth. The first sign of trouble was in 1639 when the south transept became unsafe. By 1761 the church was in a dilapidated state, and a large part of it had to be taken down. The tower remained though at an angle.
The rebuild in 1762 was not built with the same care as previously, and in 1898 it was pulled down again. The church building as we know it today was re-opened in 1902 with no tower or transepts. The three church bells saved from the tower remain at the west end of the church. Two chalices, one 16th century the other 18th century are in the Treasury of Oxford Cathedral and can be viewed there.
In the church there is a Norman font, the south doorway and alter rails remind us of the Medieval and Stuart periods. There is no stained glass in the windows, so the church is strikingly light.
(thanks to Ken Orme who adapted the above copy from a paper written by Peter Roberts in 1992)