Sheldon - St Giles
St Giles is an attractive and rare medieval building in Birmingham's suburbia (and even rarer in not having been
thoroughly rebuilt in the Victorian period like most in this area which kept the Chatwins busy at this time!). This is still a fine old Warwickshire village church enclosed in a pretty churchyard surrounded by suburban sprawl.
The church is normally locked but their website mentioned they were now open for visitors on Monday and Saturday mornings so I tried the former option; I arrived to find a notice on the porch gates exclaiming the church was 'open for visitors today', but what that actually meant was the church 'can be opened' at that time as the church hall is in use then, so I went to make enquiries and a very pleasant couple escorted me to the church to deactivate the alarms and let me in. The old gentleman was a mine of knowledge and explained many features and associations I'd have otherwise missed, including the American association, with former rector Thomas Bray having evangelised United States!
thoroughly rebuilt in the Victorian period like most in this area which kept the Chatwins busy at this time!). This is still a fine old Warwickshire village church enclosed in a pretty churchyard surrounded by suburban sprawl.
The church is normally locked but their website mentioned they were now open for visitors on Monday and Saturday mornings so I tried the former option; I arrived to find a notice on the porch gates exclaiming the church was 'open for visitors today', but what that actually meant was the church 'can be opened' at that time as the church hall is in use then, so I went to make enquiries and a very pleasant couple escorted me to the church to deactivate the alarms and let me in. The old gentleman was a mine of knowledge and explained many features and associations I'd have otherwise missed, including the American association, with former rector Thomas Bray having evangelised United States!
The red sandstone exterior is impressive with a dignified west tower which has recently been restored at some expense (the decorative hood mouldings and gargoyles have all been replaced with new carving). It is one of several medieval towers in west Warwickshire that have the sequence of tiny canopied windows on the south face to light the spiral staircase within, very much a local peculiarity in the 15th century. The rest appears somewhat restored though the more unusual
configurations seem to be original, namely the nave windows which are unusually closely set on the south side, and at the end of the north aisle is a unique pentagonal rose window (replaced in the Victorian restoration but apparently following the original shape, rediscovered after being walled up for centuries).
The interior is fairly dark as often is the case in these sandstone churches, particularly with a fullish set of Victorian glass! The
glass is somewhat unremarkable except for an attractive piece by local Arts &
Crafts legend Florence Camm representing the Sower.
The nave roof is fine original 14th century work with cusped bracing, and the font is also of a similar date, though currently looking a little precarious since a mobility scooter recently collided with it! the furnishings otherwise date from the Victorian restoration, the chancel was entirely rebuilt at this time and this retains a very Victorian atmosphere, with it's carved reredos (a Last Supper tableaux, such as was installed in this position in many churches in the late 19th century).
The most interesting and unusual feature in the church is the fragment of a medieval reredos reset in the wall of the north aisle, with two tapering canopies that formerly covered relief carvings of the Annunciation, now sadly totally effaced. Given the size and importance of this rare survival it seems logical to assume this would have been the original high altar reredos and must once have looked quite splendid in it's original rich colouring and gilding.
configurations seem to be original, namely the nave windows which are unusually closely set on the south side, and at the end of the north aisle is a unique pentagonal rose window (replaced in the Victorian restoration but apparently following the original shape, rediscovered after being walled up for centuries).
The interior is fairly dark as often is the case in these sandstone churches, particularly with a fullish set of Victorian glass! The
glass is somewhat unremarkable except for an attractive piece by local Arts &
Crafts legend Florence Camm representing the Sower.
The nave roof is fine original 14th century work with cusped bracing, and the font is also of a similar date, though currently looking a little precarious since a mobility scooter recently collided with it! the furnishings otherwise date from the Victorian restoration, the chancel was entirely rebuilt at this time and this retains a very Victorian atmosphere, with it's carved reredos (a Last Supper tableaux, such as was installed in this position in many churches in the late 19th century).
The most interesting and unusual feature in the church is the fragment of a medieval reredos reset in the wall of the north aisle, with two tapering canopies that formerly covered relief carvings of the Annunciation, now sadly totally effaced. Given the size and importance of this rare survival it seems logical to assume this would have been the original high altar reredos and must once have looked quite splendid in it's original rich colouring and gilding.
I didn't have as much time to take photos as I'd've liked, it's always difficult when people have kindly opened up for you especially and are keen to lock up again, I really didn't want to keep them waiting, and given the time it takes setting up tripod I kept things more to a minimum.
St Giles is normally locked outside of service times but I believe it may be open for some hours on Saturdays; the parishoners are very friendly and will open up for visitors who make appointments or who call at the church hall on a Monday.
Aidan McRae Thomson 2013
St Giles is normally locked outside of service times but I believe it may be open for some hours on Saturdays; the parishoners are very friendly and will open up for visitors who make appointments or who call at the church hall on a Monday.
Aidan McRae Thomson 2013
