Elsfield
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox UK place
Elsfield is an English village and civil parish about Template:Convert northeast of the centre of Oxford. The village is Template:Convert above sea level on the western brow of a hill with relatively steep sides above the River Cherwell. For relative reference purposes, the Oxford alluvial flood plain is at 60 metres above sea level.
Parish churchEdit
The chancel arch of the Church of England parish church dates from at least the latter part of the 12th century. The church formerly had a north aisle that may also have dated from this period. There is a canonical sundial on the south wall. In about 1273 the church was remodelled and rededicated to St Thomas of Canterbury. The Decorated Gothic east window was added in about the 14th century.Template:Sfn Either side of the south doorway are two Perpendicular Gothic windows that were added in about the 15th century.Template:Sfn The pulpit is Jacobean.Template:Sfn
In 1849 the church was heavily restored in an Early English Gothic style.Template:Sfn Until then, the blocked arcade of the north aisle was visible in the north wall of the nave.Template:Sfn During the restoration the arcade seems to have been removed; there are 12th-century capitals in the Vicarage garden that may have come from it.Template:Sfn The floor and seating were renewed in 1859 under the direction of the Gothic Revival architect G.E. Street.Template:Sfn In about 1860 a mosaic reredos by Salviati was added in the chancel.Template:Sfn St. Thomas's is a Grade II* listed building.<ref>Template:NHLE</ref> Template:Clear left
Notable inhabitantsEdit
The novelist John Buchan (Governor General of Canada, 1935–1940) lived at Elsfield Manor from 1919 until 1935. His ashes are buried in St Thomas's churchyard.
