Knowle St Giles: St Giles
Overview
Grid reference: ST 351 112
Although less than a decade separates the erection of the two parts of the church, the difference is clearly displayed in the spirit of the architecture. The nave is a plain rectangular building in a simple lancet style such as was considered quite suitable for churches before the influence of Pugin and others began to be properly felt. The chancel, on the other hand, is a serious essay in the Early English style built of beautiful squared ashlar with windows, doorways and mouldings of careful and scholarly design.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave without aisles but with south porch and west bell-cote; chancel with north vestry.
Description of Archaeology and History
The body of the church was rebuilt in 1840 and the chancel was rebuilt in 1848, each at the expense of the incumbent, The Revd. John Allen. His architect (at least for the nave) was Lewis Vulliamy, and the plans probably were drawn up in the 1837 and that the nave was finished in 1840. Vulliamy (1791-1871) was the son of the celebrated clockmaker Benjamin Vulliamy and was articled to Sir Robert Smirke. In 1809 he became a student at the Royal Academy and won the Silver Medal in 1810 and the Gold Medal in 1813; in 1818 he won the Academy's travelling scholarship and studied abroad for four years, chiefly in Italy. On his return he soon attained a considerable practice devoted chiefly to churches of the "Commissioners" type and secular buildings in the Greek Revival taste. Romanesque or Gothic designs were used for his churches. He was professional and efficient, he remained in practice until the day of his death and left a considerable fortune. He produced only two publications, early in his career. His pupils included Owen Jones, Talbot Bury, John Johnson, R.H. Shout and Edward Walters. He seems to have designed (according to his own list) about thirty churches of which the best known are perhaps St. Barnabas, Addison Road, Kensington and All Saints, Ennismore Gardens. Several of his churches have been demolished.
Exterior Description
Although less than a decade separates the erection of the two parts of the church, the difference is clearly displayed in the spirit of the architecture. The nave is a plain rectangular building in a simple lancet style such as was considered quite suitable for churches before the influence of Pugin and others began to be properly felt. The chancel, on the other hand, is a serious essay in the Early English style built of beautiful squared ashlar with windows, doorways and mouldings of careful and scholarly design.
The first view of the church is from the west, with the gabled bell-cote rising above the surrounding trees. It is pierced by two trefoiled arches and a quatrefoil and contains two bells. At the apex is a stone cross. The west wall of the nave has two tall lancets with chamfered surrounds each side of a central buttress, and these set the style for the side walls also, with single lancets, then buttresses between each bay and pairs at the angles. Only on the south porch, with its dogtooth round the arch and attached shafts each side, is there any attempt at decoration. It is, indeed, possible that the porch and the bell-cote were added when the chancel was built.
For the chancel finer ashlar masonry was used and the windows here are arranged much more in the mediaeval tradition. In the east wall there are three uniform lancets above a stringcourse with hoodmoulds also linked by a horizontal moulding. These are set high in the wall to allow for a reredos within. At the angles are paired buttresses, more substantial than those of the nave and with more steeply sloping shoulders. The south wall, which is divided into two bays by a similar buttress, has two trefoiled lancets in the eastern bay without hoods or decoration and a single lancet in the western bay. The small vestry on the north side is under a continuation of the slope of the chancel roof and has three small lights in the north wall and a doorway in the east wall.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
c.1850
The three east lancets were filled with small panels showing nine Scenes from the Life of Christ.
Stained Glass
c.1850
North chancel I : The Visitation and St. John the Baptist.
Stained Glass
c.1850
South chancel I : The Raising of Jairus' Daughter and Christ and the Children.
Stained Glass
c.1850
South chancel II : Christ with the Woman of Samaria, The Last Supper at Ammau.
Stained Glass
1850
Nave north I : Christ the Good Shepherd and The Presentation in the Temple.
Stained Glass
c.1863
Nave north IV (the intervening windows have lost their glass) : St. Giles.
Stained Glass
c.1877
Nave north V: Two Acts of Mercy.
Stained Glass
c.1855
Nave south III: Christ Bearing the Cross
Stained Glass
Nave south V: Agnus Dei and The Dove
Stained Glass
One west lancet shows Christ with St. Peter.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior of the church shows equally clearly the revolution which had taken place in ecclesiastical design during the years of its construction. The nave has plastered walls with plain stone surrounds to the windows and an open timber roof of a slender design resembling a hammerbeam arrangement, but painfully emaciated. The floor is of stone flags with the pews set on raised timber platforms. At the chancel arch the change occurs. This is of two orders, the outer moulded and the inner chamfered, carried, on attached shafts and with a text painted in gothic script round the edge. On the north side a small doorway opening from the vestry gives the only access to the pulpit. The vestry has a corner fireplace and pretty coloured glass in the window.
In the chancel itself the walls are divided horizontally by a stringoourse which runs all round, stepping up over the vestry doorway and forming the sill of the three lancets in the east wall. These lancets have shafts at each side and moulded arches decorated with dog tooth above, as have the two windows in the south wall. There is also a double arched recess for sedilia and on the north a cusped cinquefoiled arch decorated with dog- tooth which may have been intended for a tomb. Above it is another small lancet. The roof is of open timber construction with closely set braced rafters giving the impression of a five-sided vault. There is one step at the chancel arch, two more at the communion rails and a footpace round the altar. The floor is paved with red, black and buff tiles (with the addition of blue in the sanctuary) and is provided with marble steps, all of which adds richness to the dignity of the architecture.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
c.1848
The altar is of pine with a panelled front.
Pulpit
c.1848
The pulpit is of soft white stone and is entered through the vestry. It probably dates from 1848 and is semi-octagonal in plan with Early English arcading round the body and stylised foliage in relief on the triangular panels of the receding base; there are two brass sconces in the Gothic style.
Lectern
The lectern is a wooden pedestal carrying a desk and incorporating a carved relief of Charity with the Children.
Font (object)
c.1842
The font is a square bowl with small colonettes at the corner balanced on a circular stem with a moulded base. Recessed roundels on each face of the bowl are carved with the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, the sacred monogram, the cross and symbols of the Passion.
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 351 112
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
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