England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Reading St Giles

The Parish

The Church

St Giles' church sits on the town's Southampton Street, a bust thoroughfare followed by the A327, and immediately south of the town's inner ring road. Sadly this is the most altered of Reading's churches and probably there is little today that would be recognised by the participants in these marriages. Of the medieval little remains, a Norman capital is, perhaps, a tantalising glimpse of what may once have stood here. The western tower is undoubtedly Perpendicular and probably 14th century albeit topped by a Victorian spire. The remainder of the church follows the style of the 13th century Decorated period in homage, perhaps to what was here before the major rebuilding. Various work is documented throughout the Georgian period but they too were largely swept away by the restoration of 1871 - 1873 which saw the church largely rebuit, as well as adding the spire which is a town landmark nowadays. Parking in the vicinity is almost impossible, a town car park and approach on foot is recommended. Given its urban setting it is not surprising that getting adequate landscape views of the church are also impossible, too. Hemmed in by properties to both north & south it presents a real challenge to the photographer.