St Peter ad Vincula Church, Ratley

St Peter ad Vincula Church in Ratley (Banbury) is known for its medieval architecture, particularly its medieval preaching cross and the four different window styles.

About this building

The church was constructed in the 13th century. However, the building was interrupted by the Black Death. The church's interior features highlight the Victorian re-ordering, under which encaustic tiles were added in the sanctuary, and alter rails, organ, and pews were installed. The medieval church also has a modern cover which was commissioned to commemorate the Millenium. In 2007, a modern icon of our patron saint was added.

Key Features

  • Monuments
  • Atmosphere / quiet space
  • Churchyard
  • Wildlife

Visitors information

  • Level access to the main areas
  • On street parking at the building

Other nearby buildings

Rex Harris/Flickr

All Saints

All Saints is a typical village parish church, but it can be found in many guide books, as it is nationally and internationally famous for its stained glass windows by William Morris. These windows, installed over a period of 28 years, tell a story about the involvement of the Pre Raphaelite painters as people and the development of stained glass as a church art form.

Pauldecates/Wikimedia Commons

All Saints

As one of England's largest parish churches, All Saints rivals many cathedrals in size. With its stunning gothic style architecture, the eminent art historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner described it as 'a church as out of the ordinary for scale as for style'.