Ockham Church is mentioned in the Doomsday survey. The list of rectors goes back to 1160 but the present building dates mainly from around 1220. It is famous for its stepped seven lancet windows in the east wall of the chancel (one of only two in the country). These replaced an original set of three windows, the lower parts which can be seen on the outer face of the wall below the sill of the new windows. These new windows were transferred from unknown church – possibly Newark Priory.
The lights are graduated, the middle one being the tallest, having its springing line a few inches higher in the wall than the heads of the lancets on either side, and the same proportion is observed between the other lights. Viewed from the outside, they are simply chamfered, and have no inclosing arch over the group.
Unfortunatly the church was locked so we could not see the windows from inside.
Walking back to the car park we came across this rather strange gravestone - I am puzzelled as to what it means.
All Saints' at Ockham is probably most known for its association with the medieval philosopher William of Occam and for its brasses. The fourteenth century brass of Walter Frilende, Rector of Ockham, is the earliest brass of a priest in Surrey - but we were unable to see it! (source http://www.ockhamandhatchfordra.net/friendsofallsaints.htm)
