Savernake: Christ Church
Overview
Grid reference: SU 208 665
The walls are faced externally with flints, with a base frieze projecting very slightly and three prominent horizontal bands of stone along the north and south walls of the nave. The windows of the nave are Decorated - as indeed are all the windows of the church - and are of two principal lights with a sexfoil in the head. The west wall, as is so often the case with Wyatt's churches, is the most idiosyncratic.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Aisleless nave of four bays: chancel with a small vestry on the south; south-west tower. A shallow projection from the west wall of the nave, towards the south, serves as a baptistry. South west porch. (lowest stage of tower).
Exterior Description
The walls are faced externally with flints, with a base frieze projecting very slightly and three prominent horizontal bands of stone along the north and south walls of the nave. The windows of the nave are Decorated - as indeed are all the windows of the church - and are of two principal lights with a sexfoil in the head. The west wall, as is so often the case with Wyatt's churches, is the most idiosyncratic. First of all the tower joins it not at the edge, so to speak, but a little inwards - and at the junction between the gable and tower there is a gracefully carved leaf moulding and then a string course running round the tower below the belfry openings. In the middle of the west front is a buttress and to the left of it a window similar in character to those of the nave; above is a circular window containing three large trefoils and three smaller circles. The window, like virtually all the other windows, has a hood-moulding which terminates in very attractive label stops in the form of heads - in this case an angel and a queen. South of the buttress is the baptistry, with a steeply gabled window breaking through the slate roof.
The lowest stage of the tower is vaulted, and open to the east, west and south. Angle buttresses, jut for the lowest stage only. The tower is virtually smothered in creeper. On the east, west and south sides are two-light louvred bell-openings, and the tower is capped by a fairly squat stone spire. The chancel is lower in height, but its windows (apart from the large east window) differ little from those of the nave and there is little more that can be said of the exterior. The roof coverings are of slates throughout and the chancel has its original ridge tiles.
Interior
Interior Description
The most striking point about tho interior is the unexpectedly spacious character of the chancel, and the richness of its decoration. First, however, the tracery of the east window must be mentioned. At the top is a circular element, divided up into a sexfoil by tri-lobed elements of four distinct varieties — the top and the bottom do not match. Below this there are five main lights: a central one, all on its own; then two flanking lights - either side with curious elongated tracery in the head to fill up the space between the main lights below and the circular light above. Round the north and south walls of the chancel runs a rich frieze of flowing blank wooden tracery with a gilt backgroundand painted pattern-work; below this frieze is one of boldly coloured tiles in red, gold and blue; a less elaborate frieze of tiles is also carried round the north and south walls of the nave. The east window has attached shafts north and south, and both the windows splays and the east wall on either side has painted diapering of considerable inventiveness.
Fixtures and fittings
Lectern
Brass eagle.
Pew (object)
Stall
Font (object)
Octagonal stone bowl on a stem which is fairly vigorously moulded at the base.
Pulpit
Of stone, with a carved angel in a central niche.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 208 665
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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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