East Challow

Coordinates: 51°35′22″N 1°27′06″W / 51.5895°N 1.4516°W / 51.5895; -1.4516

East Challow is a village and civil parish about 1 mile (1.6 km) west of Wantage in the Vale of White Horse. Historically it was part of the ecclesiastical parish of Letcombe Regis, but since 1852 East and West Challow have formed their own single ecclesiastical parish. East Challow was part of Berkshire until the 1974 boundary changes transferred the Vale of White Horse to Oxfordshire.

Toponym

Challow's toponym was Ceueslaue in the time of the Domesday Book in 1086. 13th century variants included Chaulea, Chaulauhe, Chawelawe and Shawelawe.

Church and mission

Church of England

The Church of England parish church of St Nicolas was a-12th century Norman building, but the font and some masonry of the nave are now almost the only original features that survive. In the 13th century the chancel and chancel arch were rebuilt and the bell-cot and three-bay north aisle was added. The Decorated Gothic south chapel was added early in the 14th century.