Rockley Chapel
In the 13 th century there is mention of a chapel at Rockley, dedicated to St. Leonard. However, the inhabitants could neither receive sacraments nor sacramentals and they had to attend the mother church of Ogbourne St. Andrew. The chapel fell into disrepair and by the 15 th century was in ruins. There is now no trace of where this chapel might have stood.
The description of the chapel appeard in the Ogbourne Times #12
Coming along the winding lane from
Ogbourne Maizey to Rockley, one of the first things to catch the eye (apart
from the magnificent view) is the cross on the little chapel of All Saints,
which stands on a slight rise on the south side of the road through Rockley.
The chapel was built on land given by the Tanner family of Rockley Manor, and
the building expenses of £1300 were met by public subscription. The foundation
stone was laid in 1872, it was built according to designs by J Baverstock of
Marlborough, and opened for worship in 1873.
Although licensed and dedicated for
services (except marriages), it was not, and never has been, consecrated, as an
endowment of nearly £1000 was required. This was not forthcoming and so the
bishop could not consecrate the building.
The chapel is of flint-stone-chequer work,
with chancel, nave and south-west porch. The altar was three and a half feet
above the nave and was reached by four engraved steps. The aisle and chancel
steps were laid with encaustic tiles; the font (which is now at Roundway) was
of caen stone, with marble shafts and covered panels; and there were open seats
of stained deal for 140 adults.
In 1961, owing to the plaster ceiling
becoming unsafe, and the congregation dwindling to nothing, the Parochial
Church Council ordered that the chapel should be dismantled and closed. The
beautiful stained glass windows were removed and stored in the Ely museum, but
a photograph of them hangs on the south wall in the parish church at Ogbourne
St Andrew. In 1990, I wrote to the Ely museum, and was told that the main
windows have been acquired by Peldon Church, Essex.
Memorial tablets once displayed in the
church alas now lie in the graveyard and are almost unreadable. One, which is
of marble on slate, reads: ‘Sacred to the memory of Alick Noel, the beloved son
of William Henry Tanner and Jane, his wife, Born Dec 25th, 1872. Died July
19th, 1886.’ (He was the first to receive the rite of Holy Baptism in this
church on the occasion of its being opened for divine service June 17, 1873.)
‘Sacred also to the Memory of William Henry Tanner of this place. Born Aug 1st,
1832. Died Aug 8th, 1886 returning from the discharge of his duties at the
Marlborough Union, he was thrown from his carriage, fatally injured, and died
on the following day. To his generosity this hamlet is chiefly indebted for the
building of this church. In loving memory this tablet is placed here by his
sorrowing widow and seven surviving children.’ Both father and son are interred
in the churchyard of Ogbourne St Andrew.
Other tablets commemorate several
other Tanner children; and Jane herself, who died in 1914. Also in the
graveyard is a tablet in memory of the last of the Tanner daughters to be born
and live at Rockley Manor: ‘Charlotte Frances, daughter of William Henry
Tanner, died 5th July 1971 in her 90th year.’ The little graveyard, now fenced
in, is still visited by a few who come to tend the graves of those who once
lived in Rockley and worshipped at the chapel of All Saints. Emily Jane Tanner,
who died in March 1897 aged 32, was the first to be buried there by the Vicar,
Mr H A Carwardine, who obtained special permission from the Bishop as the
graveyard was not consecrated until April 1 898. A crumbling cross marks Emily
Jane’s grave overlooking the small school built by the Tanner family in 1868,
where she spent much of her time teaching the children from Rockley and
outlying cottages.
The chapel was much loved and cared
for all through their lives. The tiled floor was scrubbed each week with cold
water as that was considered the best way to bring a gloss to the tiles.
Brasses were polished, and on Sundays a watch was kept from the church porch
for the sight of the vicar walking over the hill from Ogbourne Maizey. The
little church bell was then rung to hasten the faithful to prayer. There was a
choir, and the church choir outing was a great event. The chapel was sold by
the Church Commissioners and bought eventually by Mr and Mrs Lees-Millais of
Rockley Manor. No longer used for worship, it has been a restaurant (The Loaves
and Fishes), and is now a crèche.
All Saints stands surrounded by trees
of lime, beech, ash, a flowering cherry which is a froth of white in spring,
and meadows which at this time of year are full of buttercups. In spring there
is a riot of primroses and daffodils. Rose bushes have been planted around the
fence in memory of those who rest there, and this year part of the graveyard is
to be left wild as a haven for wild flowers and butterflies. We who are
privileged to follow in the footsteps of past generations of Rockley villagers
give our thanks for the deep sense of peace where, still watching over us, is
the little chapel of All Saints.
Mary
Roberts 1996
The chapel is now a private residence (2021)