Church Of The Holy Cross

HALTWHISTLE MARKET PLACE NY 7064 (South side, off) 20/20 Church of the 24/11/67 Holy Cross GV I

Parish church. Early C13; restored 1870 by R.J. Johnson (nave west end and bellcote rebuilt; lancets inserted in aisles; roof pitches heightened; interior redecorated). Coursed and random rubble; green slate roofs. Wide aisled nave (almost square plan) with vestry on north aisle; chancel. Early- English style.

4-bay nave. Buttressed aisles have small lancets and steep pent roofs. Partly-restored pointed north and south aisle doorways with colonnettes. 3 original lancets on both sides of clerestory. Steep nave roof. Rebuilt, buttressed west end has 2 tall lancets with round window above. Rebuilt gabled bellcote with twin openings. Lower 4-bay chancel with lancet windows. Blocked 2-light, mullioned low-side window on chancel south wall. East end has clasping buttresses with offsets and group of 3 stepped lancets above sill string. Steep chancel roof. Gabled 2-bay vestry.

Interior. Nave: arcades have pointed double-chamfered arches, under hoodmoulds, on filleted responds and circular piers with moulded bases and irregular octagonal capitals; head-stop over south-east pier; clerestory windows, with splayed rear arches, set above spandrels of arcade; 1870 arch- braced, king-post roof. Small trefoil-headed piscina near east end of south aisle. Chancel: double-chamfered, pointed arch under hoodmould with head- stops (inner order on filleted responds); semi-octagonal rood-screen corbels flanking arch; 3 east end lancets have trefoil-headed rear arches and colonnettes with shaft rings; restored sedilia has 3 stepped-up seats under trefoil-headed arches on filleted shafts; small piscina in trefoil-headed niche; roof, similar to nave, possible painted 1881 to desgin by C.E. Kempe. Fittings, monuments and stained glass. In nave: hexagonal stone font probably re-cut with crude inscribed decoration and letters: R.P. July 26 1676; roughly-carved circular stoup on column; 4 north aisle windows 1897 by Morris and Co.; north aisle east window 1891 by C.E. Kempe. In chancel: Rood screen 1923 by Hicks and Charlewood; 3 elaborate medieval grave slabs and recumbent effigy of knight (possibly Thomas De Blenkinsopp died 1388) in sanctuary; 1869 carved marble reredos depicting Nativity of Christ; Memorial stone to John Ridley died1632 and aedicular wall monument to Wm. Gibson died 1785, both on south wall; 3 east lancets with 1871 glass by William Morris; windows depicting 4 Evangelists and 4 Latin Fathers, 1900-04 by C.E. Kempe.

(R.G. Barrett and Canon L. Watson, Church of the Holy Cross, Haltwhistle Seven Centuries of Worship, 1980) a Church guidebook.

Listing NGR: NY7075164029