Church of the Holy Cross, Sherston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of the Holy Cross, Sherston |
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| History | |
| Dedication | The Holy Cross |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Sherston |
| Deanery | North Wiltshire |
| Archdeaconry | Malmesbury |
| Diocese | Bristol |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of the Holy Cross is a very old and important church in the village of Sherston, England. It is an Anglican church, which means it belongs to the Church of England. This church is so special that it is a Grade I listed building. This means it is protected because of its history and unique design.
The church has parts that are from the Norman times, which was hundreds of years ago. Inside, you can find interesting things like old wall decorations. There is also a special crucifix that was given to the church by Italian soldiers during World War II.
Contents
A Look at the Church's Past and Design
How Old is the Church?
We know there was a church in Sherston way back in 1086. This was recorded in the Domesday Book, which was a big survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror. The Church of the Holy Cross probably stands in the same spot today. It is in the middle of the village, just past the main street.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church has several main parts. It has a chancel (the area around the altar), a nave (the main part where people sit), and aisles (passageways on the sides). It also has a tall tower in the middle, called a crossing tower. There is a north transept (a part that sticks out like an arm of a cross) and a south porch (the entrance area).
A famous expert named Nikolaus Pevsner once said the tower was "almost too high for the rest" of the church. This shows how impressive it is!
Oldest Parts of the Building
The oldest part of the church was built in the 1100s. This is the north arcade, which is a row of arches. The crossing (where the nave and transepts meet) and the north transept were built in the early 1200s. The north transept has three tall, narrow windows called lancet windows.
On the outside of the north transept, you can see some stone carvings from the 1100s. These are called corbels. There is also a stone figure of a saint from the mid-1100s above the east side of the south porch. The arches in the crossing have large, beautifully carved heads supporting them. The chancel was built in the late 1200s.
In the 1400s, many of the church's windows were replaced. The two-story south porch was also added around this time.
The Tower's Story
The church tower was rebuilt in 1733. It was designed by Thomas Sumsion. The top parts of the tower look similar to other churches he designed. The decorative top edges, called battlements, and the square pinnacles (small towers) are like those found at Gloucester Cathedral.
Fixing Up the Church
The church has been repaired and updated over the years. A big restoration project happened in 1876-1877, led by T.H. Wyatt. More work was done later in the 1800s by Ewan Christian, especially in the chancel. The large east window was designed by Christian.
Inside the Church
The font, which is used for baptisms, is from the 1200s. It is shaped like an octagon and sits on five supports. The pulpit, where sermons are given, is from the 1600s and has six sides.
In the north transept, there is a special space for a tomb from the mid-1200s. It holds a stone figure of a person lying down. Another tomb space in the north aisle is from the 1300s.
There are also monuments inside the church. One in the south aisle, from 1715, shows Joyce Hitchings praying. In the chancel, there are monuments for Anne Hodges (from 1676) and Thomas Estcourt Cresswell (from 1788). The one for Thomas Estcourt Cresswell is described as "elegant."
The Church Bells
The church has six bells. Two of them are very old, from around 1660. Two others are from the 1700s and were made by a company called Rudhall of Gloucester. There is also a smaller bell, called a sanctus bell, which is dated 1632.
Special Protection
Because of its historical importance, the Church of the Holy Cross was given Grade I listed status in 1959. This means it is one of the most important historic buildings in England. The old wooden gate at the church entrance, called a lychgate, is from the 1600s. Its gates are from the 1700s. It was listed as a Grade II building in 1986, which also means it is historically important.
The Church Community
A "parish" is like a local area that a church serves. In 1954, the Church of the Holy Cross parish joined with the nearby parish of Easton Grey. Today, this church is part of a group of churches called the Gauzebrook group. This group includes churches from eight villages around Sherston, who work together.
