Former chapel of ease, now parish church. 1725, enlarged 1841 by T. Foster of Bristol; 1857 alterations by F.T. Gompertz, further
1890 alterations by B. Edmund Ferrey. Ashlar and coursed rubbllimestone; decorative plain tile roof. Nave with north aisle,
west tower and 2 south porches; chancel with north vestry. Neo-Norman style. Five tall Norman style round arched nave windows to
south side with linking string course at arch springing level;sill-level string course. Two parapet gabled porches with Norman
archways. Diagonal offset buttresses to ends of nave. Eight transverse gables to north aisle, 7 with round arched window
containing coloured glass. Three-stage west tower with very squatbroach tile-hung spire. Norman style arch to each tower stage,
belfry openings being 2-light. Norman style east triplet window to small chancel, round window above.
Interior: broad nave with 7-bay round arched north arcade with tall Roman Doric columns; transverse aisle tunnel vault. Timber
boarded nave roof with compartment ribs and coved cornice. Three-centred chancel arch. Much panelling and fittings by Sapperton
Arts and Crafts group. Openwork choir screen and organ loft panelling by Norman Jewson. Fine lectern with ivory and mother-of-
pearl inlay by Peter Waals. Circular stone font with fish carving by William Simmonds has tall timber cover by Norman Jewson with
silverwork by George Hart. Stained glass to south nave windows byEdward R. Payne, 1951. Wall monument with figure of mourner and
urn to John William Jones, died 1860. South frontage has iron railings, principal posts with urn finials. Residents of Chalford
erected a 'neat chapel' in 1725, which after considerable enlargement became a district church in 1842.
The chief glory of this church lies in its Arts and Crafts Movement furnishings taking inspiration from ideas of William Morris. The stained glass is in part by Edward Payne and its quality reflects that the area in which the church is situated is known as "Golden Valley". The carved reredos, rood screen and font cover are particularly of note. The vital resource of the River Frome, next to the canal, is reflected in the identifiable fish species around the font bowl. The ring of six bells was installed in 1859.
The community of Chalford continues the artistic tradition with studios, galleries and a foundry. It also has an intricate network of narrow streets and alleyways where donkeys used to be the main form of transportation.
The information can be found without entering the churchyard.
The age of George Thwaite when he died = AB
The age of Victoria Alford when she died = CD
The day of the month David John Hall was born = EF
The cache can be found at these co ordinates N 51 43. (F/2)E(A-F) W002 09.(C-(F-E))((A-F)x2)((C-F)x2)
Plerase take care if you are doing this cache with children as the church is on the side of a busy road.
If you would like to add to the Church Micro series yourself then please look here
http://churchmicro.co.uk/
There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page that can be found at
http://www.15ddv.me.uk/geo/cm/index.html