St Mary of the Angels Church, Brownshill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary of the Angels Church, Brownshill |
|
|---|---|
St Mary of the Angels Church
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| OS grid reference | SO 883 026 |
| Location | Brownshill, Chalford, Gloucestershire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | Friends of Friendless Churches |
| History | |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 12 July 2007 |
| Architect(s) | W. D. Caröe |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Romanesque Revival |
| Completed | 1937 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Limestone, Cotswold stone slate roofs |
St Mary of the Angels Church is a special old church found near Brownshill village in Gloucestershire, England. It used to be a Roman Catholic church, but it is no longer used for regular services. Now, a charity called the Friends of Friendless Churches takes care of it. This church is so important that it's listed as a Grade II listed building. This means it's a historic building that needs to be protected.
History of the Church
This church was built between 1930 and 1937. It was designed by a famous architect named W. D. Caröe. Experts say it's a very unique example of his work.
The church was built for a special group called Templewood. This community was started in 1927 by two women, Bertha Kessler and Katherine Hudson. They had helped soldiers during the First World War. They saw how much stress and mental pain the soldiers suffered. So, they wanted to create a place to help people find peace and healing. St Mary's was built as a chapel for this community. Both women gave £1,000 each to help build it.
Beautiful stained glass windows were added to the church a year later. In 1951, the community became part of a larger religious group called the Dominican Order. The chapel was used every day by the community until 2006. In 2010, the Friends of Friendless Churches charity took over its care. This was special because it was the first Roman Catholic church they had ever taken care of. It was also the newest church they had looked after.
What the Church Looks Like
Outside the Church
St Mary's Church is made from limestone and has roofs covered with Cotswold stone slate. It also has a small bell tower made of wood shingles. The church looks like buildings from the Romanesque style. This style uses round arches and strong, simple shapes. Some parts of the church also have a hint of the Baroque style, which is more decorative.
The church is shaped like a rectangle. It has a rounded end called an apsidal sanctuary. On the north side, there is a small room called a vestry and a confessional booth. There is also a porch where you enter. The front of the church has a round arch at the top. Below it, there is a round doorway and a rectangular window.
Along the south side of the church, there are five sections, each with a narrow, round-headed window. There is also a door towards the east end. The north side has similar windows and a door towards the west. The porch and vestry are also on this side. The east end of the church has a full gable (a triangular wall section). A house for the priest was planned next to the church, but it was never built.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church is simple and peaceful. At the west end, there is a gallery with panels decorated with diamond shapes. The main part of the church, called the nave, has a floor made of wooden blocks and terracotta tiles.
Between the nave and the sanctuary, there is a large arch. It looks like the arches found in Norman buildings and has zigzag patterns called Romanesque chevrons. In the sanctuary, there is a stone altar table.
Three of the windows have beautiful stained glass pictures. They show the women who started the community and a person who helped them with money. These designs are thought to be by an artist named Douglas Strachan. Under the middle window, there is a panel with shiny gold mosaic tiles.
Between the doors that lead to the vestry and the confessional, there is a small alcove called a niche. The metal fittings on the doors are in the Arts and Crafts style, which focuses on handmade items and simple designs. Next to each entrance door, there is a holy water stoup, which is a basin for holy water.
