St Mary's Church, Souldern *Original*

Church of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Souldern

The Parish Church of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Church of England parish church of Souldern, a village in Oxfordshire about 7 miles northwest of Bicester and a similar distance southeast of Banbury. The poet William Wordsworth stayed at the neighbouring rectory in 1820, after which he wrote the sonnet A Parsonage in Oxfordshire, and in another sonnet called the house "this humble and beautiful parsonage".

The church is currently fundraising for much needed improvements, including water and toilets, and heating. Currently they don't have mains water. This original is therefore being sold with 20% of the sale price being donated to the fundraising appeal. 

A Parsonage In Oxfordshire

Where holy ground begins, unhallowed ends,
Is marked by no distinguishable line;
The turf unites, the pathways intertwine;
And, wheresoe'er the stealing footstep tends,
Garden, and that domain where kindred, friends,
And neighbours rest together, here confound
Their several features, mingled like the sound
Of many waters, or as evening blends
With shady night. Soft airs, from shrub and flower,
Waft fragrant greetings to each silent grave;
And while those lofty poplars gently wave
Their tops, between them comes and goes a sky
Bright as the glimpses of eternity,
To saints accorded in their mortal hour.

William Wordsworth