Cogges St Mary's Church

Situation
East of the River Windrush and Witney town, and south of Newland.

History

St Mary's Church, Cogges - the east end.

The church at Cogges dates from the 12th century but was extended and remodelled in the 14th century. It has a curious tower that is square at the base but octagonal further up, with a pyramidal roof. It contains a memorial to William Blake, his wife Sarah and father Francis, who lived at Cogges Manor Farm next door. The church has a connection with the woollen industry in that the Blakes were wool merchants who also funded three schools in Witney and the clock on the Buttercross. John White, the first Master of the Blanket Weavers Company is also buried here.

Clare Sumner