Designed in the ‘Decorated Gothic’ style by architect Charles Hansom of Clifton, the Catholic church of St Gregory the Great was begun in 1854 to replace a small Catholic chapel on the same site. It was one of Cheltenham’s largest and most expensive Victorian churches, and consequently subject to many delays in its construction. The chancel and tower were built separately and it wasn’t until 1876 that the nave was finally built to connect them together! Worship was able to take place in the chancel from 1857 onwards and the church was finally consecrated as a complete building in 1877.
Next to the church is no.10 St James’ Square, a house now occupied by the priests and church offices but which was once the home of the poet Lord Alfred Tennyson in the 1840s (just before the present church was built). The house has a plaque commemorating this.
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For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro.co.uk
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