Former Holy Rood Church, Now A Merchant Navy Memorial

The former Holy Rood Church, now a Merchant Navy Memorial, was built in 1320 and rebuilt in 1849-50, retaining parts of the 14th century chancel and aisles, as well as the south-west tower and spire. The church was bombed during the Second World War, and the ruins were restored in 1957 as a memorial to merchant seamen. The church is constructed of stone rubble from the 14th century. The tower walls remain intact up to the springing of the tower roof, but the wooden spire is missing. The tower has three stages, featuring a tall Y-tracery window on the south side at the top of the first stage, and 2-light cusped windows with circular tracery in the belfry. The chancel is largely intact, with two perpendicular windows in the south wall and a blocked outline of a trefoiled sedilia in the same wall. Under the tower is a memorial fountain, erected between 1912 and 1913 to honor those who lost their lives in the Titanic disaster. This fountain, originally located in Cemetery Road, is supported on four stone columns and features curved pediments on each side with carvings depicting the Titanic, topped by a four-columned cupola. The ruins of the church are scheduled as an ancient monument.