 |
Rendcomb, St. Peter A 1ate 15th century church built by Edmund Tame, whose father built Fairford church, set close by Hardwicke's Italianate house (now Rendcomb College). The church is built of golden grey freestone. It consists of a nave and south aisle of almost equal breadth divided by an arcade of columns with delightful concave chamfers. There is a much restored 16th century screen across the whole width of the church and much colourful glass including an excellent early Victorian east window. The magnificent Norman font (pictured above) is curved with the twelve Apostles. |
||
| Cowley, St. Mary Founded in the 12th century, Cowley church is mainly Norman and Early English in style (12th and 13th centuries). It stands beside the small River Chum in the grounds of Cowley Manor. The Manor, including the village and outlying lands, belonged to the Church in the Middle Ages. Now the Manor, a few cottages and a somewhat diminished acreage is owned by Gloucestershire County Council. Cowley church rests on the slopes above the Chum and it is probable that Lewis Carroll found inspiration for' Alice in Wonderland' when staying at what is now the Old Rectory. |
 |
||
 |
Coberley, St. Giles A 14th century church, although its earliest foundations were probably Norman or even Saxon. Among a number of interesting features in the church is a heart-burial monument, the only example of its kind in the Cotswolds, and a 17th century communion table. During the four centuries when the Berkeleys were Lords of the Manor, Coberley was visited by Edward I and Charles II. Dick Whittington also spent much of his boyhood here. Seven Springs, in the parish, is the highest source of the Thames. |
||
| Colesbourne, St. James
This must be one of the most picturesquely situated churches in this wooded part of the Chum Valley. It probably started life as a simple Norman chapel but only the two massive pillars now supporting a late 13th century pointed chancel arch remain from those times. In plan the church is cruciform with the transepts almost certainly added in the 14th century. There is a handsome Perpendicular (15th century) tower at the west end and a fine stone pulpit. Colesboume Park and the church are at a little distance from the village in which there are still some lovely old buildings of Cotswold stone. |
 |
||
 |
North Cerney, All Saints The church is prominent from the main road. Next to the porch are the steps to the west gallery. On the south wall are some unusual scratch markings of a manticore and a leopard. Little of the original Saxon church remains, but there is some Norman work on the tower, porch and chancel. The stone altar (c.1200) was rediscovered and replaced in 1912. There is a beautiful east window in the lady chapel (1470). By the late 15thcentury, the church was cruciform in shape. There are too many interesting features to record them all here! |
||
| Baunton, St. Mary Magdelene
Dating from Norman times, the small church at Baunton used to be a chapel of ease belonging to Cirencester Abbey. It contains a 14th century wall-painting of St. Christopher striding through a stream (perhaps the River Chum which flows nearby?) carrying the Christ Child, while ships, fishes and a mermaid swim around his legs. A 15th century embroidered altar frontal is on display in a glass-case - the illustration here shows a feature from it. Visitors constantly remark on the church's simplicity and its peaceful atmosphere. |
 |
||
| Bagendon, St. Margaret The present church was started about 1100 AD. It was remodelled in the Perpendicular style in the 15th century, although fragments of the Saxon and Norman structures are still visible. The bell tower was originally divided into two small chambers, which would have been used by visiting priests in earlier days. Despite its low-lying position - on several occasions it has been severely flooded - it has an air of openness, welcome and light. There is an unbroken succession of rectors, covering a period of over 700 years. |
 |
||
|
|
Visitors are always WELCOME at any of these churches The times of services are in each church porch. |
||
 Click here to view the Google Map of this area Note: Gloucestershire Church Trails is not responsible for the content of external internet sites |
|||
