Last Saturday D and I visited Coleshill Parish Church to see the Christmas Tree Festival. It was also a good opportunity to have a look round the church interior again as I haven't been for some years.
The present church of St Peter and St Paul was built in the C14/15th. However, the Domesday Survey of 1086 records that Coleshill was a royal manor with a priest which suggests there may have been a church in Coleshill at that time.
First of all a look at some of the Christmas trees.
Church Interior
The font is beautiful - it is Norman (mid C12th) and made of Caen stone from Normandy. The arcades depict the Crucifixion and various saints for example, St Peter, St Paul, St John the Evangelist, St Mary Magdalene and a clerical figure. The font pre-dates the present church.
The church was restored by William Slater in 1859/60.
In the North Aisle is the effigy of John II de Clinton d 1316 and it predates the present church.
In the South aisle is the effigy presumed to be that of John I de Clinton died 1298 (again it predates the present church). The figure is dressed in chain mail and surcoat with the de Clinton shield. At his feet is a dog which was the crusaders' symbol of fidelity. He possibly accompanied Edward I on his crusade to Nazareth.
C19th wooden pulpit with carved tracery.
Stained glass in the chancel is by Clayton and Bell. The East window dates back to 1859.
The monuments in the chancel are mainly C16th and depict effigies of the Digby family.
The Advent Wreath or Crown.
The war memorial in the churchyard by Bodley and Hare 1926.
One of the grotesques on the outside of the church.
It was good to get out for a few hours - over the last few weeks we have all been suffering from a most unpleasant virus which has lingered and lingered! You think you are getting rid of it and then it decides to return with slightly different symptoms!
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: Information panels in the church and Coleshill Parish Church website which has a section on the history and heritage of the church.