The church was consecrated in 1735 and is the only one of its kind in the country; its late baroque style is more usually found in southern Germany and Italy. It is believed to be to a design by James Gibbs. The exterior was originally plain brick but was later clad with limestone ashlar and Italianate balaustrades and finials were added. It has a clock tower surmounted by a cupola with a gilded dome, topped off with an orb and a golden cross. There are two bells, to chime out the time and to ring for weddings and funerals. It has a crypt with vaults, still occupied by lead coffins, and has a coffin chute accessed from the inner porch.

Witley Parish Church has ten stained glass windows of which nine depict scenes from the New Testament; The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Adoration of the Shepherds, The Adoration of the Magi, The Baptism of Christ, After the Resurrection; the miraculous catch of fish, The Resurrection, Peter and John healing a cripple and The Supper at Emmaus. Then tenth window shows the Worship of the Golden Calf, a scene from the Old Testament and has no apparent connection to the rest of the windows.

From the guide book:

The ten windows were executed by Joshua Price in 1719 and 1721 from designs by an Italian artist, believed to be Francesco Sleter (1685 – 1775). They combine stained glass and enamel painting and are the finest example in Britain of early eighteenth-century windows of this type. In the 1970s they were in danger of collapse and were restored to their present fine condition. When the windows were transferred from the Cannons Chapel, the apertures were nine inches too long. This was corrected by adding the somewhat incongruous golden stained border to the base of each window.

If you hover over the windows it will show you which of the windows they are.

The ceiling paintings in Witley Parish Church were painted by the Italian artist Antonio Bellucci.  The three principle paintings on the ceiling are; the lamentation,  the ascension and the nativity.

The main paintings are surrounded by ten small paintings of cherubs ; Crown of thorns, Chalice, Judas’ money bag, Christ’s raiment and dice, Ladder, Hammer and nails, Spear and vinegar sponge, Mailed glove, Veronica’s veil, whipping post and flails.

This photo shows ‘The Ascension’.

I found the church quite fascinating, I need to visit again because I know I have missed a lot!

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This is the Parish Church for the villages of Great Witley and Little Witley. It is still in regular use for services, concerts and other events. It stands next to Witley court which is now in ruins following a fire that occurred in 1937.

From the church guide book:

Witley Parish Church is the only one of its kind in the country. The baroque style of its interior is one which is more usually found in southern Germany and Italy and indeed many of the craftsmen who created t came from Italy. Much of the decoration was originally in another church, the Duke of Chandos’ private chapel at Cannons Palace, near Edgware, Middlesex.

While Witley Court was inhabited the church was used regularly but, after a fire at the court in 1937, most services were held in the chapel in the village. The Parish Church was rarely heated and damp and decay set in. It is only the dedicated efforts of parishioners in recent years that the building has been restored to its former glory.

I will be posting more photos of the church and also photos of Witley Court itself.