Last Saturday D and I went along to St Giles, Sheldon, which was open that day for Heritage Open Day Week. I did once stop off at the church when driving past years ago but the church was closed.
St Giles is a medieval church built of red sandstone and is a Grade II Listed Building. There was a Victorian Restoration in 1867 by Slater and Carpenter.
The church is dedicated to St Giles. St Giles was born in Athens in the C8th and went to France where he lived as a hermit in a cave feeding on roots and drinking water and the milk of deer. A royal hunt chased a deer that fled to Giles for protection. Giles was introduced by the king to the Bishop of Nemes and they built an abbey close to Giles's cave. Giles became the first bishop. St Giles's saint day is the 1st September and he is the patron saint of beggars, disabled people and lepers.
The lychgate was erected in 1899 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Reverend Bateman's incumbency as Rector of Sheldon. He remained as vicar until 1910.
The nave of the church was built c1330 and extended west with a tower in 1461.
West Door
The porch dates back to the mid C16th.
A C13th coffin lid with a calvary cross near the porch may mark the grave of a priest.
These heraldic carvings were on the east exterior wall although one bears a resemblance to an Agnus Dei. A volunteer from the church was showing us where the Commonwealth graves were located and I wish now I had asked him about the carvings.
The interior of the church was very dark even with lights on and I really struggled to take photos even with very high iso - well that is my excuse anyway!!
Roll of Honour for World Wars 1 and 2.
Most of the stained glass was Victorian and pretty unremarkable imho!!!
I did however like this more modern window (1937) by Florence Camm entitled "The Sower". Florence Camm was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement and went to Birmingham School of Art. The window was made by her family's glass Company based in Smethwick.
One unusual feature of the church is the rare Pentagon window which is possibly the only one in Europe. The window was rediscovered in 1867 during renovations to the North Aisle. It had been "walled up" probably to prevent damage by the Puritans under Oliver Cromwell.
View from the Exterior
Interior view (somewhat obscured at the base by the organ!)
The C15th reredos once behind the main altar was re-sited in the North Aisle in the 1867 restoration. The reredos is damaged but you can perhaps make out what would have been a representation of the Annunciation.
The organ is around 150 years old and was made by Thomas Hewins of Stratford upon Avon.
Furnishings such as the pews and pulpit date from the Victorian restoration.
The brass eagle lectern was donated in 1894 in memory of Mary Thursley.
C14th font (damaged by a mobility scooter in the early 2000's)
Memorial in the chancel
Memorial to Thomas Bray who was rector between 1690 and 1730. He travelled to Maryland, America, to help establish the Church of England there.
The present reredos shows the Last Supper.
Nave from the chancel
Looking towards the chancel
The note on this tower door made me smile.
The feature below shown from inside and outside the church is often referred to as a "Leper's Squint" in church guide books. This is now a really outdated theory. Many lepers lived in Lazar communities where they had access to their own purpose built chapels and would not need therefore to watch services at a local church. These low side windows could have been used for ventilation, or as hagioscopes, or a hand bell could have been rung from the window to alert parishioners in nearby fields that it was nearly time for mass. Another current theory is that they could be the remains of a putlog used when scaffolding was erected to build the church.
C14th oak chest
After looking round the church and churchyard D and I went to the church hall for tea and cake (chocolate chip and banana loaf). The cake was delicious :)
Cottages near the church.
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or my son's I would be grateful for an email first - thanks).
Reference: Leaflet in church
Book "Historic Building Mythbusting" by James Wright
