A COTSWOLD SURPRISE……

Following my posting of the tiny Newlands Church I had various emails asking if I had more images of interesting, small or unusual Churches that I could share….so here is one more I hope you will like.

We came across HAILES CHURCH quite by surprise.  We were exploring the Cotswolds and on this day the centre of our interest was the Winchcombe area and in particular Hailes Abbey.  Just as we had the Abbey in view and about to turn into the car park this rather charming little church came into view and immediately grabbed our attention.

The walls of yellow Cotswold stone just glowed in the sunshine contrasting with the split stone roof and an oh! so quaint squat tower  (there will be a proper architectural name for that style of tower).  Whilst it looked old it was so bright and clean cut that it was apparent it had enjoyed some loving and careful restoration. 

The truth is that it is a VERY old Church. My research tells me that it was founded sometime between 1114 and possibly 1151. The reason for this disparity is that there are conflicting stories as to who and when the Church was established. One account is the ‘Ralph de Worcester’ instructed he church to be built and later ceding it to nearby Winchcombe Abbey sometime between 1139 and 1151. Another version is that ‘William de Tancarville’ from Rouen, France was responsible, William at that time owning the Manor (or estate) of Hailes.

The restoration work carried out early in the 20century has given the exterior a new lease on life and yes, you could be fooled into thinking that the building is much younger than its true age.

But step inside and you get the real feel of just how old this church is. It is a simple single and linked nave and chancel and whilst some restoration has occurred the interior feel is much as it would have been some 900 years ago.

Stone flagged stone for much of the area (there are some mosaic tiles in parts) a wood screen separating nave from chancel and exposed wood beams in the roof must be pretty much as it was.

Exploring the interior will reveal the true splendour of this ancient church.  Some fine Medieval Wall Paintings are bound to catch your interest.  One of the best is in the chancel.  It is, I understand, a painting of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. Located in an arch by the main chancel window closer examination will show that alcove in which it sits is in fact a blocked of window.  There are many other paintings but none are as colourful or as bright as Saint Catherine.

 

Now as to Hailes Abbey, well we did explore these ruins and again you would have been forgiven for thinking that they must be older than the Church.  Not so, they only date back to 1246.  Very well worth taking the time to explore and enjoy………..

Hailes Abbey

…………….but for us it is the ‘little’ church that caught our imagination.

Hailes Church

14th February