All Saints', Down Ampney, GL7 5QW
History
The church was built by the Knights Templars and consecrated in 1265, and is a fine example of Early English Architecture.
In the Middle Ages the village suffered from various plagues including the Black Death. The red flowers which decorate the underside of the arches are a reminder of the nursery rhyme ‘Ring a Ring of Roses’, referring to the rash that appeared on the skin.
The composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was born at the Vicarage, in the centre of the village, in 1872 while his father was Vicar; the entry of his Baptism is still to be seen in the Register.
His father died three years later and is buried in the churchyard beside the South Transept. Ralph Vaughan Williams wrote many hymn tunes; the tune to the hymn ‘Come down O love divine’ was named ‘Down Ampney’ after his birthplace.
Here’s a nice YouTube link:
The RVW Window
For the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Ralph Vaughan Williams, a new stained-glass window was installed in the sanctuary at All Saints' Church, Down Ampney.
The window was made by the world renowned stained-glass craftsman - Tom Denny. The theme of the window is 'Pilgrims Progress'.
The window was given in memory of Robin Ivison, who was a founder member of the RVW Society and knew the composer.
The window was dedicated on 11th December 2022 by the Bishop of Gloucester in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Tom spoke at the service and told the congregation about this work. A transcript of his talk can be found at this link: RVW Window - Tom Denny
For more information about his work, please look at his website by clicking here.
Photo by John Francis - RVW Society
Interior
All Saints' Church was embellished by the Gibbs family in the late 19th century. They gave the ornately carved pulpit, rood screen, reredos, and organ.
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This plague church has small red roses painted on the nave arches - said to represent each person who died in the Black Death. The village had originally neighboured the church, but villagers moved further away to get away from the malady - hence the church now stands right on the edge of the village at the end of Church Lane.
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Most of the stained glass is Victorian. A window commemorating those who served at RAF Down Ampney was installed in the 1970s. In 2022, a new stained-glass window was made and installed by Tom Denny to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ralph Vaughan Williams.
