Church of St. Nicholas, Winsley

The earliest reference to a church in Winsley is in 1349 but as architectural evidence indicates an early Norman building there will have been one here from the late 11th or early 12th century.The church was rebuilt in the 15th century, in Perpendicular style, but only the three stage tower, with its saddleback roof, remains from this period. Between 1539 and 1846 Winsley was served by curates from Bradford, and from the early 18th century a list of the annual offerings for these vicars survives. In 1704 this included the left shoulder of every calf killed, one tenth of every calf sold, one tenth of all honey produced, 5 pence (0.2p) for every man, wife and garden, 3 eggs for every cock and 2 for every hen to be paid on Good Friday, twopence (0.1p) for everyone over 16 years, fourpence for every woman churched (service after the birth of a child), and 10 shillings (50p) for every death where the estate was worth over £40.

By 1841 it was evident that repairs to the church were necessary and a decision was taken to pull it down and build a new one, but Mr Stone of Winsley House managed to persuade them to keep the tower. A new church of nave, chancel with recess, and south porch was built eight feet to the north of the tower, and connected to it by a covered passage. It is plain, in the Gothic style, desigened by R.S. Pope of Bristol and built by C. Jones. The cost was £696.10.0d (£696.50) while the modifications to the tower cost £33.4.6d (£33.22). The number of free seats increased from 74 to 193 and the opening service was held on 25th June 1841. Shortly after this the old gallery musicians were replaced by an organ and in 1846 the United Vicarage of Winsley and Limpley Stoke was created and Winsley was no longer dependent on Bradford.

In 1876 a new manual and pedal organ was installed at a cost of £200 and in 1889 the church was re-pewed, with the old high pews replaced, while the vestry was probably built at the same time. Late in the 19th century the 15th century font, removed in 1841, was found in a garden and replaced in the church. In 1951 the three bells (one from c.1550, one from c.1540, and one cast, or recast, in 1756) were re-hung. A weather vane was placed on the tower in 1956. In 1989 interior alterations were made including the removal of the pulpit, a low stone wall, the chancel steps and altar plinth, making the church more flexible in usage, while the heating and lighting were improved in line with the alterations. Around 2000 the organ was restored and the interior completely redecorated. The parish registers dating from 1724, other than those in current use, are held in the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office.