A morning spent visiting Cheltenham Minister.
April 2024
Located in the centre of Cheltenham behind the library is St Mary's church. A grade 1 listed building and Cheltenham's only medieval building. It has stood here in the centre of the town for over 850 years. During its been closed for repairs intermittently between 1859 and 1877 otherwise in continuous place of worship as the parish church. The church is believed to have replaced an earlier Saxon one.
It was mentioned in the doomsday book and is recorded as belonging to Regenbald or sometimes known as Reinbald who was dean of the canonos at Cirencester Abbey. In 1133, Henry I formally granted 'the church of Cheltenham' to Cirencester Abbey and soon after this the Augustinian Canons built the present church.
After the dissolution of the monasteries during the 16th century it passed to the crown and was sold to different owners as lay rectors until 1863 when Edward Walker took possession of the chancel and the title of rector.
From outside you will see the tower dating back to the 1200s and the spire on top dating from the fourteenth century, making this the oldest part of the church. The tower houses the 13 bells, which are still rung on a Sunday morning.
In the grounds you see a standing cross which is grade 2 listed. Dates to between 10th and the 16th centuries. Standing crosses served a variety of functions. It has many of its original features.
When you go in you will see the rose window which is covered in a protective metal grill, on the outside but viewed from in the inside which, I did and are lucky enough to visit on a sunny day you will see the window in all its glory. There is a deliberate mistake in the window as it looks prefect on first look.
There are three standards hanging on the wall on the north side. The first is the Stars and Stripes flag which was given to the church by Lieutenant General John C.H. Lee of the United States Army and his staff who were stationed in Cheltenham during the second world war and attended services here.
The second is a regimental standard of the 9th Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment and bears the battle honours from the first world war.
The flag which hangs between them embroidered for a meeting of church leaders held in Cheltenham in 1928.
This building full of history and is a place of quiet contemplation. I would recommend a visit to heart of Cheltenham town centre.
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