Re-opening of South Hinksey Church.
The parish church of South Hinksey, after having been closed for three months, for the purpose of restoration, was opened by the Bishop of Oxford on Monday last the 5th inst. The edifice was first built in the 13th century, but the decay of time, and the so-called taste of the last century, had almost obliterated the earlier features of the structure. These features have, however, been well brought out again by the skill of Mr. C. A. Buckeridge, architect, under whose direction the whole of the works have been satisfactorily executed by Messrs. Young and Co., of Oxford. The interior of the nave and tower has been thoroughly restored, and fitted with open sittings; whilst the roof (which before had a very unsightly appearance) is now neatly and uniformly covered with Stonesfield slates, The fabric of the chancel has not at present undergone any substantial restoration, but the interior hus been assimilated, as far as circumstances allow, to the altered appearance of the body of the church. The handsome altar-cloth was worked and presented by a lady residing in the parish, and all the other decorations were the handywork and offerings of the parishioners. The work of restoration has cost about 300l., which sum has been raised by the Rev. W. Morrison, the Curate, who has the sole charge of the parish, chiefly from among his own personal friends and acquaintances, so that the restoration of the parish church will in no way affect the building of a school-chapel in the populous hamlet of New Hinksey.
The morning service on Monday was attended by a large congregation, including many of the Clergy, amongst whom we noticed the Archdeacons of Oxford and Berks; the Rural Dean of Abingdon; the Rural Dean of Oxford (the Rev. Dr. Leighton, Warden of All Souls’); the Hon. and Rev. F. Bertie, the Vicar; the Hon. and Rev. C. F. O. Spencer, Vicar of Cumnor (the Mother Church); the Revds. J. D. Jenkins, Fellow of Jesus; H. Randolph, Vicar of Marcham; R. M. Benson, Student of Christ Church, P.C. of Cowley; J. N. Collyns, Student of Christ Church, P.C. of Bensington; A. C. H. Morrison, Vicar of Longborough; G. T. Cooke, Fellow of Magdalen College, and Vicar of Beckley; A. Venables and A, Green, Curates of St. Paul's, Oxford; W. J. Bristow, Chaplain of Christ Church, &c. A most eloquent sermon was preached by the Bishop from Mathew vii, 7, 8, and a collection was afterwards made, amounting to 24l, 3s, 6d. After the morning service the clergy and others were entertained at two of the farm-houses in the village; and, later in the day, the school children were treated to tea and cake. At seven o'clock a second service was held, principally for those of the parishioners who could not attend in the morning. At this service an impressive sermon was preached by the Rev. A. Hackman, Precentor of Christ Church, and Incumbent of St, Paul’s, Oxford; after which another collection was made to the amount of 3l. 8s. 2d. Altogether the day was full of interest, and will long be remembered with pleasure by the inhabitants of this quiet village.
