9. The Henry Box Memorial

The Henry Box Memorial in St Mary’s Church, Witney, commemorates Henry Box, a significant benefactor of the town who founded Witney Grammar School (now Henry Box School) in 1660. The original memorial was a grand neo-Classical tomb made of black and white marble, supported by two Corinthian pillars. Beneath the tomb lay the vault where Henry Box was buried.

In the 19th century, the memorial was dismantled during church restorations led by architect G.E. Street. All that remains today is the dark grey Purbeck marble slab, relocated to the west wall of St George’s Chapel. This modest remnant contrasts with the once “sumptuous” design of the original structure.

Notably, the connection to Henry Box’s legacy lives on in the church. Two pews near the memorial display enamel plaques of the Worshipful Company of Grocers’ coat of arms, reflecting Box’s membership in this London guild.