Church of the Holy Cross, Cowbridge facts for kids
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Church of the Holy Cross
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| OS grid reference | SS 993 746 |
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| Location | Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan |
| Country | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
Quick facts for kids History |
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| Founded | 13th century |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Medieval |
The Church of the Holy Cross is a very old church in Cowbridge, a town in the Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales. It was built a long time ago, probably in the 13th century. This church is special because of its unique tower design. It has been repaired and updated many times over the years. Because it's so important, it's officially recognized as a Grade I listed building.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's Story
The Church of the Holy Cross was likely built in the late 1200s. This was when Cowbridge was growing into an important market town. Even though it was first a smaller "chapel of ease" for another church, Holy Cross was built quite large.
Growing with the Town
As Cowbridge became richer, the church was changed and updated many times. At first, it had a tower between the main worship area (called a chancel) and a wide main hall (called a nave). The tower once had a tall, pointy top called a spire. Sadly, lightning destroyed this spire in 1480.
In the 1400s, more parts were added to the church. A side section, known as the south Llanquian aisle, was built next to the nave. A north chapel was also added to the chancel. Some people believe these additions were gifts from Lady Anne Neville. She was an important noblewoman and the wife of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who later became King Richard III. The first organ in the church was a gift from Jasper Tudor, another important historical figure.
Repairs and Updates Over Time
By 1721, parts of the tower were getting old and damaged. The church also had four bells that were broken. The people of Cowbridge wanted eight new bells instead of four. They even used the town's money to pay for new bells.
In 1848, the church asked for money to fix the seating and flooring. They needed £250, and many wealthy church members helped. Around the same time, some windows in the chancel were opened up and fitted with new glass.
A big renovation happened between 1850 and 1852. This work cost £1,800 and was done by John Prichard from Cardiff. Later, in 1893, a gallery was removed, and the tower was fixed again. More work was done in the 1920s and 1930s. New Altar rails were added in 1965.
A Protected Building
The Church of the Holy Cross became a Grade I listed building on May 12, 1963. This means it's a very important historical building. It was recognized for being a "medieval church on a key site in a historic town centre." It also adds to the value of other old buildings nearby.
Church Design: Architecture
The church is built using local limestone and a white stone called Sutton stone. These materials give it a unique look.
The Striking Tower
One of the most interesting parts of the church is its tower. The top of the tower has a special design with stone supports (called corbels). From these, angled sections lead up to an eight-sided, castle-like top (called battlemented).
Some people thought the tower might have been a watchtower or a fort. They believed it could protect the town if it was attacked. However, experts say this is unlikely because it doesn't have narrow openings (called arrow loops) for defense. On one side of the tower, there's a small staircase. On the other side, there's a strong support structure (called a buttress).
Inside the Church
Inside the tower, you can see arches on the east and west sides. These arches are part of the original design from the 1200s. In the chancel, the only original feature is a small stone basin (called a piscina). This basin is made of Sutton stone.
The church also has large columns (called piers) that support the arches. These columns are in a style common in the English West Country. There are two small openings in the east wall. People think these were used for giving out alms (money or food to the poor). This is a very unusual feature for a church.
Special Features
The font, where baptisms take place, is an eight-sided stone bowl. It's believed to be from the 1300s. The stained glass windows on the eastern side of the chancel show scenes from the life of Christ. These windows were added in 1868. The windows on the south side of the chancel show Bible stories. They were put there to remember one of the headmasters of Cowbridge Grammar School.
