Background of St Giles

Click to view Pictures of St Giles

The present church was built in the mid-19th century and replaced a previous church, which consisted of a chancel, a nave with side aisles, a south porch and a bell-cot for two bells. It was of an early date as some of the piers were of the 12th and 13th centuries. We know that the font was a plain octagon and there were 15th century windows. In 1506 a bequest of 20d was made for "ye nye windowe glased in ye chapell of St. Giles".

 

This church was pulled down and an entirely new church built in 1862. This was probably the result of the village of Holme being granted separate status from Glatton in 1857. A new vicarage was also built in 1859. The new church was similar in size to the old and even had a similar style; with a bell-cot for two bells replacing a similar bell-cot on the earlier church. The builders also incorporated the two 13th century responds and capitals on the eastern side into the church and the three eastern arches contain a considerable number of old stones. The western arch and its column are entirely modern.

 

The south arcade has two centred arches of one plain order resting on three circular columns and two semi-circular Click to enlarge the photo respond shafts. The capitals of the eastern respond and the eastern column are cushion capitals of the 12th century and part of the capital of the second column is of the 13th century.  Parts of the three eastern arches are ancient but the western bay is entirely modern. The pulpit which is of marble is entered through a trefoiled-headed opening on the north side of the chancel arch. The rest of the church is of a 19th century date including the roof and the octagonal font. The altar is  1630 and is oak with heavy turned legs.

bells_from_east02.jpg (80216 bytes)

There are two bells inscribed:
(1) Stanley, Peterborough 1885;
 (2) 1670 (by Norris).

Click to enlarge the photo In the chancel there are a number of monuments especially related to the Wells family of Holmewood Hall. In the south aisle is a stained glass window to William Wells who drained Whittlesey Mere. Click to enlarge the photo

Click to enlarge the photoThe church had electric light installed in 1953 and the lead plugs where the oil lamps were fixed can be seen on the pillars of the nave. A surviving oil lamp can be seen in the chancel on the south side of the chancel arch. The rear door was added in 1900.

 

Click to enlarge the photoThe small forms in the south aisles are from the famous Holme Floating Church - St. Withburga.

 

Click to enlarge the photoJust outside the church to the right of the porch is the base of a 13th century cross; it is a square reduced to an octagon above with large rounded stops.

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