Church of the Holy Cross, Avening facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of the Holy Cross |
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed building |
| Designated | 6 September 1954 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Avening |
| Diocese | Gloucester |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of the Holy Cross is an old church located in Avening, a village in the Cotswold District of Gloucestershire, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This historic building was first built in the late 11th century. It is considered a very important building and is listed as a Grade I listed building. This means it has special historical or architectural value.
Exploring the Church's Past
How Old is the Church of the Holy Cross?
The Church of the Holy Cross has a long history. Some parts of the church were built in the late 1000s. Outside the church, you can even see a stone coffin that is older than the Norman Conquest. This conquest happened in 1066 when William the Conqueror took over England.
Who Started the Church?
The church was ordered to be built by Queen Matilda of Flanders. She was the wife of William the Conqueror. This shows how important the church was even back then.
Changes Over the Centuries
Over time, the church grew and changed. In the 12th century, a tower was added. Also, the west part of the chancel (the area around the altar) and the north aisle (a side part of the church) were built. A new north doorway was also added.
Later, in the late 13th century, transepts were built. These are parts of the church that stick out on the sides, making the building look like a cross from above. The top part of the tower was added in the 14th century.
Who Owned the Church?
For many years, from the 11th to the 14th century, the church belonged to the Abbey of Sainte-Trinité, Caen. This was a large religious house in France. However, another abbey in England, Tewkesbury Abbey, also claimed ownership.
Restoration Work
In 1902, the church needed major repairs. Part of its tower had fallen down. This caused damage to the main part of the church, called the nave, and the north aisle. The church was carefully restored to fix these damages.
The Church Today
Today, the Church of the Holy Cross is part of the local church group, or benefice, of Avening with Cherington. It is part of the Diocese of Gloucester, which is a larger area managed by the Church of England.
Understanding the Church's Design
What is the Church Made Of?
The Church of the Holy Cross is built from Cotswold stone. This is a type of stone found in the local area. The church has a cruciform shape, which means it is shaped like a cross when viewed from above.
Key Features of the Building
The church has a north aisle with two sections, called bays, and a porch at the entrance. The nave, which is the main part of the church where people sit, has a special ceiling called a 14th-century wagon roof. This roof looks like the inside of a covered wagon.
Oldest Parts of the Church
You can still see parts of the original Norman architecture from when the church was first built. These include the doorway, an arcade (a row of arches), and the chancel arch (the arch leading to the chancel). The tower has three levels and is supported by strong buttresses, which are supports built into the walls.
Inside the Church
Inside, you can find interesting historical items. There is a table from 1657. You can also see several monuments and stone tablets. One special feature is a kneeling statue, called an effigy, of Henry Brydges from Avening Court.
The church also has beautiful stained glass windows. The East Window's stained glass was made by a company called Clayton and Bell. Two other stained glass windows in the nave were created by an artist named Christopher Whall.
Remembering Those Who Served
There is a special tablet inside the church that acts as a war memorial. It remembers the villagers from Avening who lost their lives in the First World War, the Second World War, and the Iraq War.
