St Olave's Church, Gatcombe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Olave's Church, Gatcombe |
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| 50°39′49″N 01°18′15″W / 50.66361°N 1.30417°W | |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| Website | www.stolaves.church |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Olave's |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Gatcombe |
| Diocese | Portsmouth |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Olave's Church, Gatcombe is a historic church found in Gatcombe, on the Isle of Wight. It belongs to the Church of England. This church is part of a group of churches that includes Sts Thomas Minster and St John's in Newport, and St Mary's in Carisbrooke.
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History of St Olave's Church
Building work on St Olave's Church started way back in the 1200s. The church was officially opened in 1292. It first served as a private chapel for the Estur family, who lived at Gatcombe House. Later, the Worsley family owned the manor. They gave the church money and even provided some of its rectors (church leaders).
The church's font, which is a basin used for baptisms, likely dates from the early 1200s. The chancel (the area around the altar) was rebuilt between 1864 and 1865. The church was also repaired and improved around 1920. The tower of the church holds three bells, but they are not swung to ring.
Beautiful Stained Glass Windows
St Olave's Church is famous for its amazing stained glass windows. These windows were made in 1865 and 1866 by very well-known artists. These artists include William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Ford Madox Brown, and Edward Burne-Jones. Rossetti started a famous art group called the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, and the other artists were connected to it.
Interesting Monuments and Statues
Inside the church, you can find some interesting monuments.
The Ancient Wooden Effigy
On the north side of the altar, there is a carved wooden statue of a soldier. It shows him with crossed legs, a style common in the early 1300s. The statue has an angel near its head and a lion at its feet. Experts are not sure if it's a real medieval statue that was changed later, or if it was made much later to look old. Some people think it might represent an ancestor of the Estur family. This statue has even inspired some local stories and a famous hoax in the 1960s.
Memorial to Captain Charles Grant Seely
At the back of the church, there is a large memorial for Captain Charles Grant Seely. He was the oldest son of Sir Charles Seely, 2nd Baronet. Captain Seely was a soldier who died in battle in 1917 during the Second Battle of Gaza. He is buried in a war cemetery in Gaza.
The memorial is a stone chest with a statue of Captain Seely lying on top. He is shown in his military uniform with crossed legs, like a "crusader" from olden times. This was the last work of a famous sculptor named Sir Thomas Brock. The memorial was officially revealed in 1922. A few years later, in 1927, a local woman damaged it. She was upset because this grand memorial was built, but her own brother, who also died in the war, was not remembered in the same way. You can still see the damage on the statue's face and sword.
The Church Organ
The organ in St Olave's Church was built in 1919. Sir Charles and Lady Seely gave it to the church. It was a special gift to remember the soldiers from the Isle of Wight Rifles who died in the First World War. The organ was dedicated in September 1922, at the same time the memorial to Charles Grant Seely was unveiled. The room where the organ is kept was designed by W. D. Caröe. The organ was repaired in 2000 and now includes parts from another organ.
Churchyard and War Graves
The churchyard, which is the burial ground around the church, contains two graves from World War II. These are for an officer and a sergeant from the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Images for kids
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View from the west
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Sanctuary
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East end
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Interior
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Font
