There has been a place of worship here at Forest Hill, or 'Fostel as it once was (from 'Forst-Hyll' meaning 'hill ridge'), since 1129 when It was the chapel belonging to the Augustinian order at Oseney Abbey In Oxford, and was probably first built as a monastic cell. It was enlarged in 1273 and dedicated to St. Nicolas as were many churches of that date. St. Nicolas was Dishop of Myra in Asia Minor in the 5th Century, and was venerated after bis death aa patron saint of sea travellers, fishermen and children. Many legends are know about him and he is the original 'Santa Claus'_or 'Father Christmas'.
Various chaplains served the church from Oseney Abbey from the 12th Century until 1536 after which curates from Oxford were appointed to care for the village and its church., In 1536 the link with Oseney was broken when Henry VIII began the annexation of monastic property. Wo have a list of priests from 1629 (see the Village Book)* but they were not resident in the village. In 1980 the parish became part of a new benefice of Wheatley with Forest Hill and Stanton St. John and then in 1996 a new ‘Wheatley Team was formed and Forest Hill became part of a cluster sharing a vicar with Stanton S. John, Beckley and Horton-cum-Studley.
Building
The church itself stands on the hillside with its bellcote and thick buttresses (added in 1639 for support) standing out as a distinctive feature. The bells are: a treble (2 cwt) and a tenor (1652 2j cwt); a third was added in 1862 to replace the former 'sanctus bell' but this is now rarely used. The original layout of the church was a simple nave with a chancel beyond, .and 1 south porch; the north aisle and vestry are 19th Centurv additions.
Interesting features: From the outside as you enter the South porch you will see a roughly scratched 'mass dial on the right hand Jamb of the doorway, which would hive shown the time of mass when the shadow of a metal pin lay across the mark in the stone.
The doorway is a good example of transition from Norman to Early English style.
The porch would have been used for many purposes -marriage banns were published here and promises made before witnesses. The Baptism service was begun here and for funerals the coffin was received in the porch
The font just inside the church is of a later date (1852) than an earlier one which was considered too small.
The windows at the west end have original 15th century masonry. Those at the east end have glass designed by Janes Cranston - they tell the life of Christ in order of events. From the left hand bottom light (birth of Christ) up to the baptism in Jordan; then right hand bottom (woman of Samaria) to top.(entry into Jerusalem); then centre bottom (Last Supper) to top (Ascension).
John Milton
It is very probable, though not recorded (because of the missing pages in the registers, perhaps) that John Milton, one of our greatest English poets, was married in this church in 1643. He married Mary Powell who was the daughter of Richard Powell, and the family lived in the Manor House next to the church. The story goes that Mary was given in marriage to John Milton because of a debt owed by Richard Powell to Milton's father, and this can be read in Robert Graves' 'Wife to Mr. Milton'. The stone across the road from the Manor House (now Manor Farm) is said to be the one that John Milton used to sit on, or to mount his horse from - perhaps it was not pointed in those days!
William Julius Mickle
The Scottish poet, most famous perhaps for his poem 'There's nae luck aboot the hoos', is buried in the churchyard and his tombstone may be seen on the North side of the burial ground. There are some interesting gravestones to be seen although the inscriptions on some are now becoming illegible, and the 'table top'' or 'chest' typo of tomb are of special interest.