WOODCHESTER PRIORY

Near Stroud, Gloucestershire

15th September 2017                        Photos by Hetty                                History of the church

A visit with Stroud U3A church history and architecture group

William Leigh bought Woodchester Park and built the mansion and this Roman Catholic church. The  mansion was never finished but the church opened in 1849.

The school opposite (1884)

At the porch

A priory was added in 1853, but it was demolished in 1970 and is now a car park.

The architect was Charles Hansom, whose brother created the Hansom Cab. In the church is his model.

The roof comes off to reveal the rooms on the first floor

and the ground floor

This photo shows the monastery

The architecture is Victorian Gothic style

The first window alludes to Henry VIII as executioner of Margaret Pole, and the second has Thomas Moore

This chapel contains a mediaeval style memorial to William Leigh and his family

 

The chancel ceiling

A choir stall has a green man

This window was for infirm monks to see into the church

Sir Edward Elgar’s sister is buried here – she was a nun at St Roses convent in Stroud

Then we went down into the crypt

where the Leigh family are buried – in Italian style

Link to more U3A church visits

Near by:

Woodchester Mansion and Park

All images on the website copyright of HettyHikes.co.uk

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