Lower Oddington - St Nicholas Church

About

The church of St Nicholas is located at the end of a small lane some 1/4 mile from the centre of Lower Oddington village. The church is composed of a very high, flat-ceilinged nave, a large south aisle, south chapel and porch, and central tower. It originally had a north door as well, but this has been partially bricked up to form a window. The church was begun some time in the 12th century, and is very simply adorned, with a three-arch nave arcade and Early English chancel arch.

St Nicholas is a very attractive church in a lovely rural setting, but there is nothing strikingly compelling about the exterior architecture to attract visitors. But as soon as you enter the church,  you see the real reason why it is worth making a special trip to Oddington. Against the north wall of the nave is a superb medieval wall painting, perhaps the largest 'Doom' painting in Britain.The striking Doom is not the earliest wall painting in St Nicholas church; that honour is reserved for a small 13th, or possibly 14th, century image in the south chapel, thought to represent a nativity scene or a life of the Virgin Mary. There are also some interesting carved stone corbel heads in the nave, and faded traces of colourful paint on the 12th century arches. Over the chancel arch is a painted rendition of the royal coat of arms of William IV, superimposed on a medieval painting. It is unusual to find William's arms; the only other Gloucestershire church to contain them is at Painswick.