CLEMENT'S (ST.), a parish in the hundred of
BULLINGTON, county of OXFORD, containing 770 inhabitants.
The parish is bounded on the west by the
Cherwell, over which is a handsome bridge leading into
the city of Oxford. The living is a rectory not in
charge, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Oxford, endowed
with £ 600 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage
of the Crown. Owing to the inadequate accommodation
which the old church afforded, a new
church, in the Norman style, has been erected by subscription,
on ground given by Sir Joseph Locke; it is
situated near the margin of the Cherwell, and, as seen
from Magdalene bridge, forms an interesting feature in
the vale. Between it and the bridge, but nearer the
latter, baths on an extensive scale have been constructed,
consisting principally of a spacious swimming-bath,
with dressing-rooms, a reading-room, and other conveniences.
Stone's hospital, for the residence and support
of poor persons, was founded pursuant to the will
of the Rev. William Stone, Principal of New Inn Hall,
dated May 12th, 1685, for eight poor women, each of
whom has about £12 per annum; and Boulter's almshouses,
agreeably to the will of Cutler Boulter, dated
March 21st, 1736, for eight single men, one from each
of the parishes of Wimple in Cambridgeshire, Wherwell
in Hampshire, Haseley in Oxfordshire, Barlings in
Lincolnshire, Deptford with Brockley in Kent, and
Harewood in Yorkshire, who have each eight shillings
weekly: they are both under the superintendence of
special visitors. Various lands and tenements, producing
about £400 per annum, have been left for the
benefit of the poor, and for repairing the church.
Henry I., in 1126, founded an hospital for infirm lepers,
which, having suffered considerable impoverishment, was
granted by Edward III. to Oriel College, on condition
that the society should maintain a chaplain and eight
almsmen in perpetuity. Respecting this charity there
have been various suits at law between the society and
the mayor and corporation of Oxford, and notwithstanding
several legal decisions, the funds afford a very
inadequate means of support to the hospitallers, who
are eight in number, besides a chaplain, and who generally
reside in the city, labouring at some kind of employment.
About the time of the siege of Oxford, the
house was demolished, and rebuilt by the society in
1649: it was afterwards used as a laboratory for making
magnesia, by a private individual, and the remains
are now appropriated to stabling and cow-houses. Anciently
the funds of the establishment were augmented
by the contributions of the fellows of New College,
at their annual procession to the chapel of St. Bartholomew,
on Holy Thursday: the students of Oriel and
Magdalene Colleges, and the citizens of Oxford, were
also accustomed to assemble here on May-day, bringing
with them the earliest productions of the season, as
oblations to the saint, and further celebrating the festive
day with music and dancing. This custom is supposed
to have originated in the pious intention of Burgwast,
bishop of the diocese, who granted forty days' indulgence
to all who came to the chapel on the festival of
the saint, and contributed to the relief of the leprous
almsmen. Here too were preserved relics of various
saints, the supposed efficacy of which, in performing
miraculous cures, attracted numerous pilgrims.