Wickham nr. Newbury No. 1

No separate entry found for this Wickham in the Domesday survey, but, as the Victoria County History (Berkshire, vol. 4, 1924) entry for Welford [cf. Index entry for Welford] states: "Two churches are mentioned in the Domesday Survey, which are no doubt the parish church and the ancient chapel of ease at Wickham." The Victoria County History (ibid.) notes: "The church of ST. SWITHUN at Wickham is a small building consisting of a chancel, nave, north and south aisles, and a south porch, all of which are modern, and a west tower probably of the 11th century and certainly pre-Conquest. No portion of the old walling appears to have been retained in the rebuilt parts. [...] The font is modern and extremely ornate. In the south aisle is the bowl of an ancient font which was dug up and placed here some years ago; it is a plain octagon in plan with the corners chamfered off. The top is much damaged and around the edge is a deep groove, probably the result of later mutilation." The entry for this church in English Heritage [Listing NGR: SU3947271520] (1967) notes: "Font situated at West end of nave is carved stone octagon in square with intricately carved timber pinnacled cover with plaque stating "this font was worked in New Zealand and shown at the Great Exhibition in 1862".