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Church of the Month (August 2024)

The former church of St Oswald, Dunham on Trent, is the featured church for August 2024. The village of Dunham is on the west bank of the River Trent 13.5 km (8.3 miles) south-east of the town of Retford. It was made redundant in 2012.

The church consists of a four-stage west tower (three-stages on the west face) with a west doorway, nave with a 3-bay north aisle and a two-bay chancel.

The tower dates from the 15th century; the rest of the church was rebuilt in the 19th century. The south wall of the nave was built in 1805 the rest dates from 1861-2 and was designed by the Nottingham architects Hine and Evans in the Decorated style.

The tower is striking, thanks in part to the ‘spectacularly large’ belfry openings in the upper stage. Pevsner describes them as of ‘four lights, cusped transoms, and elaborate intersections in the top, an interesting mix of flowing and Perpendicular detail.’

All the internal fittings date from the 1861-2 restoration.

The only window to contain stained glass is the east window in the chancel which comprises simple geometrical patterning over the three lights, primarily in red, blue, and green.

There are very few monuments.

The church was closed for worship in 2012.

Further information on the church is available on the Southwell and Nottingham Church History Project website.