St Edward's Church, Stow-on-the-Wold facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Edward's Church or the Parish Church of Stow-on-the-Wold |
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| OS grid reference | SU994492 |
| Location | Church Street, Stow-on-the-Wold |
| Country |  England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad church, humanitarian |
| Website | http://www.scats.org.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | 'Saint Edward', uncertain as to whether Martyr, Confessor or 'St Edwold' |
| Consecrated | before 1086 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Medieval (unknown) and John Loughborough Pearson (restorer) |
| Style | Norman-Perpendicular |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Stow-on-the-Wold |
| Deanery | North Cotswold |
| Archdeaconry | Cheltenham |
| Diocese | Gloucester |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Edward's Church is an old church in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church is a popular spot for visitors.
It is one of 98 buildings in the Cotswold area that have a special "Grade I listed" status. This means it is a very important historic building. The church is built from beautiful Cotswold stone. Its tall tower, large stained glass windows, and well-kept churchyard make it a truly special place.
Contents
About the Church Today
What the Church Looks Like
St Edward's Church shows a mix of building styles. This is because parts were added or changed over many centuries. The church is shaped like a cross, which is called a cruciform plan. It has a main hall (the nave) and side sections (aisles). There are also two porches, one on the north and one on the south.
The church has a tall tower on the south side. There is also a north transept and a chancel at the east end. The walls are made of rough stone, and the roof is Cotswold stone. The tower is made of smooth, cut stone blocks called ashlar.
The north door is very old, from the 13th century. It is surrounded by two famous yew trees. The windows on the sides of the church show different styles from the 13th and 14th centuries. The large east window was designed by an architect named Pearson.
Inside, the main arches date mostly from the 13th century. The church has a special stone basin called a piscina and seats for priests called a sedilia. The font, used for baptisms, is from the late 1500s. The colorful stained glass windows were made by a company called Wailes and Strang in the 1800s.
The church tower is from the 15th century and is 88 feet (26.8 meters) tall. It has eight bells, which are the heaviest set in Gloucestershire. A clock has been in the tower since 1580. The current clock was put in place in 1926. In the south aisle, there is a painting of the Crucifixion by Gaspar de Craeyer. He was a famous artist from the 1600s.
The Church's Mission
The church is part of a group of churches called the SCATS benefice. They follow the Anglican Five-Mark Mission. This means they have five important goals:
- To share the good news about God.
- To teach and help new believers.
- To help people in need with loving service.
- To work for fairness and peace in society.
- To protect nature and care for the Earth.
Church History
Building and Changes Over Time
St Edward's Church is a Norman church built with Cotswold stone. Some parts date back to the 11th or 12th century. The tower and the upper windows (clerestory) were added in the 15th century. Before this stone church, there was likely an older wooden church from the Saxon times.
The town of Stow-on-the-Wold was very rich from the wool trade. This wealth helped pay for the tower and other big changes to the church. The church was also updated in the 1600s and again in 1873. During the 1873 changes, Reverend Robert William Hippisley hired architect John Loughborough Pearson. Reverend Hippisley made sure the building was cared for without changing its old style too much.
Role in the English Civil War
In 1646, during the English Civil War, a big battle happened near the church. This was the Battle of Stow-on-the-Wold. The Royalist army, who supported King Charles I, fought against the Parliamentary forces. The battle was very fierce.
After the Royalists lost, about 1,000 of their soldiers were held as prisoners inside St Edward's Church. The church has memorials to Francis Keyt and John Chamberlayne, who died in this battle. It also remembers those who died in World War I and World War II.
Famous Connections
In 2002, the funeral of John Entwistle, the bass player for the famous band The Who, took place at St Edward's Church. John Entwistle lived nearby. Many fans gathered outside the church to listen to the service.
Church Wealth and Contributions
Medieval Times
Historians believe the town of Stow was named after its church, possibly dedicated to Edward the Martyr. In medieval times, the church received donations and lands. This made it quite wealthy.
Lands and Income
In the 16th century, the church's land brought in a good income. This income grew even more after common lands were divided up in the 1700s. By 1864, the church's annual value was over £500. Over time, this value changed due to economic shifts.
Rectors and Church Hall
For many years, the church had rectors (head priests) who looked after it. From 1744 to 1899, four rectors served, three of whom were from the Hippisley family. In 1937, the first church hall was built.
Local Roles Before Government Services
Before modern government services, the church played a big role in the local community.
- Churchwardens: In 1566, there were four churchwardens who helped manage the church and local areas.
- Poor Relief: The church helped the poor. In the 1700s, they even had a "pest house" for sick people. They also tried to set up a workhouse to help those without jobs.
- Health: The church helped deal with health issues like smallpox outbreaks.
- Graveyard: In 1855, a new graveyard was opened south of the town.
- Almshouses: The church also managed almshouses, which were homes for the poor and elderly. They provided funds and support to the people living there.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Gloucestershire
- List of ecclesiastical restorations and alterations by J. L. Pearson
