St Nicholas of Myra's Church, Ozleworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Nicholas of Myra's Church, Ozleworth |
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St Nicholas of Myra's Church, Ozleworth, from the southeast
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| OS grid reference | ST 794 932 |
| Location | Ozleworth, Gloucestershire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | visitchurches.org.uk/visit/church-listing/st-nicholas-ozleworth.html |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Nicholas of Myra |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 6 September 1964 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Norman, Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 12th century |
| Completed | 1873 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Stone |
St Nicholas of Myra's Church is a very old Anglican church in the small village of Ozleworth, Gloucestershire, England. It is now looked after by The Churches Conservation Trust. This means it is a "redundant church," which simply means it is no longer used for regular church services.
The church is special because it is a Grade II* listed building. This means it is a very important historical building. It is also quite rare! St Nicholas is one of only two churches in Gloucestershire with a unique hexagonal (six-sided) tower. The other one is St Lawrence's Church in Swindon.
If you want to visit, look for signs that say 'Historic Church' or 'Newark Park'. You can park outside the Ozleworth Estate. Then, follow a long path downhill and to the left to reach the churchyard. Be careful, as the path can sometimes be muddy!
Contents
How Old Is the Church?
The church stands in a round churchyard. This shape might mean there was an even older church here before. It could even suggest the spot was special before Christianity arrived! However, the church is not mentioned in the Domesday Book, a famous survey from 1086.
The oldest part of the church is its tower. It was built in the Norman style, probably in the 12th century (the 1100s). This tower might have been the main part of the church back then.
Changes Over Time
- In the 13th century (the 1200s), a small nave (the main part where people sit) was added to the west of the tower.
- A chancel (the part near the altar) was also added to the east side.
- In 1732, a gallery was built at the west end. You could reach it from outside using steps.
- In 1873, the church was restored (fixed up and updated) by Rev W. H. Lowder.
- During this restoration, the nave was made longer by about 11 feet (3.4 meters).
- The church stopped being used for regular services on 1 March 1981.
- It was then given to The Churches Conservation Trust on 27 October 1982.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church is made of stone, with roofs covered in stone tiles. The most striking part is its central tower, which has an unusual irregular hexagonal (six-sided) shape.
Key Features of the Building
- To the east of the tower is the chancel.
- To the west is the nave, with a porch on the south side.
- The nave is now about 33 feet (10 meters) long.
- The chancel is about 21 feet 6 inches (6.55 meters) long. It gets slightly narrower towards the east end.
- The tower has three main sections, separated by stone bands called string courses.
- In the top section of the tower, each side has a window with two lights (sections) under a round arch.
- The tower is topped with a pyramid-shaped roof.
Windows and Doors
- The chancel walls have single-light windows.
- On the north side of the chancel, there's a priest's door with a trefoil (three-leaf clover shape) top.
- The east end has a two-light window with a gable (triangular wall section) and a cross on top.
- The nave windows are similar to the chancel windows.
- On the north side of the nave, there's a doorway that has been filled in.
- The south porch is opposite this blocked doorway and also has a gable.
- The inner doorway of the porch is from the 13th century. It has two layers of stone and is beautifully carved.
Inside the Church
- The arch leading into the tower from the west is also very detailed and carved.
- The font (where baptisms happen) is from the 13th century.
- The east window has small pieces of medieval stained glass, including a saint's head.
- The southwest window of the tower has four panels of painted Flemish glass from the 16th or 17th century.
- Most of the other stained glass in the church is from the 19th century.
Outside the Church
In the churchyard, you can find three groups of old monuments. Each of these groups is also a Grade II listed building, meaning they are historically important too.
See also
