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.
14 comments:
I always enjoy seeing photos of festivals of trees, and there's a lot of work gone into some of those, particularly the first photo of the crochet tree. That will have taken hours. I do rather somewhat disapprove when they have been loaded down with bought baubles and beads, but that's just me being me, I suppose.
I really enjoyed looking at the stained glass and tile photos too and I'm glad you managed to get out for a few hours,. There's an awful lot of viruses around.
Thanks so much Debbie. I am glad you enjoyed the photos. I liked the crochet tree too.
We didn't stay that long as I felt really rough plus people were coughing and sneezing and I didn't want to catch another virus. At our GP's patients have been asked to wear masks but most are ignoring it apparently!
Wow a sunning church to look around, I have not been to one with lots of Christmas trees in for years but try and get photos of ones which do have a tree. I’ve seen a few effigies with hound so know why now. The church has some amazing effigies and stained glass but the font now that is stunning
Lovely to see the trees there are come lovely ones. I have some photos to share of Bakewell church soon. Sorry to hear you have all been ill with the virus that is going round, I hope things get better soon especially for next week, I have a cold, haven't had one for ages, I'm just hoping that that's all it is. Do take care:)
Thanks so much Billy. There are a lot of interesting features in the church and as you say the font is just stunning.
Thanks so much Rosie and I look forward to the photos of Bakewell Church. The virus is a pain the way it lingers and I am afraid housework and Christmas baking is just not getting done. I hope your cold is better soon.
Love the idea of having all those Christmas trees. As always it is great to see the stained glass windows.
Thanks so much John. I am glad you enjoyed the trees and stained glass.
Aaagh I gave just had to go through a 2 step verification thing on google just to be MMM in a comment! Drives me nuts!
Anyway - that first tree takes me back. My mum made a blanket like that in the 70s. I have it now, not that it is on display (lol).
The church is very impressive, and that font is amazing!
Thanks so much Mandy. Eek re google and the verification thingy. That drives me nuts if it happens as I don't have a mobile any more (long story but had to lend it to son and I never used it anyway) so google send code to my daughter's phone and if she is at work I can't contact her!
I remember I crocheted a blanket when I was about 20 - mum used it for the dog! No longer have it!
It is a lovely font in the church.
The Christmas Tree festival looks lovely. The crocheted tree is really unusual.
Thank you CherryPie. I liked the crocheted tree as you say it is unusual.
I fear you and I have been suffering from the same bug. I'm in the 3rd week and utterly fed up with it. What a lovely church - good Christmas tree display, FABULOUS font and stained glass and monuments. Oh, I did enjoy my almost-walk around it. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks BB. From reading your blog it does sound the same virus. Third week for me too and like you I am so fed up with it. So pleased you enjoyed the church. The font is just superb and my photos didn't do it justice I am afraid.
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