If you've always dreamt of a church wedding, churches are opening their doors to more and more couples. For a traditional venue steeped in history but with a modern mindset, we visited the beautiful Church of St John the Baptist Kingston Lisle in Oxfordshire.
This small church in the peaceful village of Kingston Lisle in the Vale of the White Horse is picture perfect, thanks to their setting in the green hills of the Ridgeway, and their recent incredible restoration. Along with a £420,000 fund from the PCC and kind donations by the villagers and congregation, this Grade 2* listed building has been restored to its 12th century beauty. The exterior has been re-rendered to a clean white, the interior decorated, the seating and flooring improved, and the woodwork restored, for a church that truly feels like the hub of the village.
If you love history, then The Church of St John the Baptist has it in spades, with lovingly preserved original features. The moment you enter the church, the striking stained glass is the first thing you see, and it fills the room with coloured light. Several of the windows date back to the late 19th century, which may seem old until you consider that the oak door dates back to the year 1200, and the intricately carved wood pew ends date back to around the year 1400!
However, this beautiful church also boasts several thoroughly modern aspects, that go far beyond the in-pew heating (perfect to stop chilly services!). No longer do you have to be an entrenched member of the church-going community to experience the church as part of your wedding day; the vicar is keen to encourage couples to consider The Church of St John the Baptist as a potential wedding venue, as they have a welcoming attitude and are happy to work with couples from the community and even further afield.
We were lucky enough to speak to the church's warden, Arthur Marment, about what couples can expect from the church if they'd like to plan their wedding there...
If you'd like to get married in a church, remember that you'll need to be a resident in the church's parish (which means being on the electoral role there) and attend the church you wish to get married in regularly, or you'll need to have an association to the parish, such as your parents or grandparents being based there. Find your nearest church here.