St Cyriac's Church, Lacock facts for kids
St Cyriac's Church is a beautiful old church in the village of Lacock, Wiltshire, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church has stood for many centuries, with parts of it dating back to the 14th century. It's a place full of history and interesting stories.
Contents
Discovering St Cyriac's Church
A Journey Through Time: The Church's History
Early Beginnings: Norman Foundations
The very first parts of St Cyriac's Church were built a long, long time ago. This was during the Norman period, around the 11th or 12th century. It might even have been built on the spot where an older Saxon church once stood. Two important local landowners, Edward of Salisbury and William II, Count of Eu, helped pay for this early construction. The church is named after a Norman saint, St. Cyriac. Inside, you can find many memorials to important families who lived in the area over the years. These families include the Baynards, Bonhams, and Talbots.
Growing with Lacock: Medieval Rebuilds
The church changed and grew over time. In the 14th century, parts of it were rebuilt. You can still see beautiful, fancy window designs from this "Decorated Period" style. Lacock was a busy and rich market town back then. It was an important stop on the route where people moved sheep from Bath to London. Because of this wealth, a much bigger rebuilding project happened in the 15th century. This project used money from local taxes. It gave the church its current "Perpendicular Period" look. This means it has tall, straight lines in its design. The church was built in a cruciform plan, which means it's shaped like a cross from above. A special chapel on the east side was added, paid for by the Bonham and Croke families.
Changes Over the Centuries
More changes came in the 17th century. In 1604, the church's eight-sided tower was rebuilt. Later, around 1619, a two-story building called the "new Yle" was added to the south side. After Sir Robert Baynard passed away in 1636, special brass plaques were placed on the church floor to remember him. These plaques were temporarily missing in 2004, but thanks to a public appeal, they were quickly found and returned. In 1777, the chancel, which is the area around the altar, was rebuilt. This new style was quite different from the older parts of the church.
The Baynard family, who owned Lackham House in the late 1800s, paid for more big changes. They had the Lackham chapel, now also known as the Baynard chapel, completely rebuilt. They also added a new roof to the transept and put in new seats for their family and workers. In 1861, the Baynard family again funded a major restoration led by architect A.W. Blomfield. This work included making the transept roofs higher and adding a new front entrance. Old, tall box pews were removed, and the galleries and organ at the west end were taken down. In 1902, Sir Harold Brakspear updated the church. He made sure his changes honored his friend, the famous photography pioneer William Henry Fox Talbot, who lived nearby.
Modern Care and Listing
Because of its great historical importance, St Cyriac's Church was given a special status in 1960. It was named a Grade I listed building. This means it is considered a building of exceptional interest and is protected.
The church continues to be cared for today. In the early 2000s, several projects improved the building. These projects were made possible by donations from people, private groups, and national organizations. The Friends of Lacock Church and the Lacock Parochial Church Council helped organize these efforts. For example, the roof of the main part of the church (the nave) and the south transept were repaired in 2006.
The Famous Lacock Cup
A Special Silver Chalice
For many years, St Cyriac's Church was home to a very special treasure: the Lacock Cup. This beautiful silver cup is a medieval chalice, meaning it was used in church services. It was made in the mid-15th century. Experts say it is "one of the most important pieces of old English silver not used for religious purposes." In 1962, the cup was loaned to the British Museum so more people could see it.
Finding a New Home
In 2009, the Lacock Parochial Church Council had the cup valued at £1.8 million. In December 2012, a special church court approved its sale. The cup was then bought together by the British Museum and the Wiltshire Museum in Devizes. The money from the sale was used to help restore and improve St Cyriac's Church. As part of the agreement, two copies of the cup were made. One copy is used for church services at St Cyriac's. The other copy is displayed at the Wiltshire Museum when the original cup is not there.
