Welcome to Holy Cross Church, Chatton.

sunday worship

  • 1st SundayServices held in
    Holy Cross Church, Chatton

9:30am unless stated

Interior of Holy Cross Church

Click any of the thumbnail pictures for a larger picture or slide show

Sanctuary

Of eighteenth century walling in which several "decorated" windows were inserted in the nineteenth century.





Seven shields are displayed around the Sanctuary which depict the temporal and ecclesiastical history of the church.

  • The arms of Alnwick Abbey are unknown and so this is indicated by what is know as a base shield.
  • One of the coats of arms used by the Percys, the Dukes of Northumberland.
  • The Tudor Royal Coat of Arms, showing that the church once belonged to the crown.
  • The arms of the Province of York, the Province in which Chatton is situated.
  • The Arms of the Bishopric of Durham in which the church was situated until 1882 when the diocese of Newcastle came into being.
  • The Arms of the Diocese of Newcastle.
  • The Arms of William de Vesci depicting the cross of St. Cuthbert.


Hanging on the north wall is a painting of the crucifixion after the style of Murillo. It is believed to have been originally hung in the chapel of Kirkley Hall, and arrived in Chatton in about 1938. The painting was restored in 1990. On the south wall there is a relief of the crucifixion, of uncertain metal composition. It is believed that this was purchased in the shop in Florence by Mrs Culley of Fowberry, together with a copy of the Last Supper.




Nave

Of eighteenth century walling with one "early English" lancet window and two "perpendicular" two - light windows inserted in the nineteenth century in its south wall. At one time the nave would have been plastered, but this has all been removed and the rubble walling pointed. At the back of the nave is a Cromwellian oak table and coat of arms of George VI. These were given to the church by Mr A. W. Milburn of Fowberry Tower to mark the Queen's coronation. The plate on the oak table is engraved;

"The royal arms and this table are gifts to the church of the Holy Cross Chatton by Archibald William Milburn of Fowberry in grateful record of King George VI of happy memory and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II his successor 1952-53"

The coat of arms is made from Fowberry oak and was painted by a tutor in the Fine Art Department of Newcastle University.

North Arcade

Of four-centred modern "perpendicular" arches of octagonal pillars with moulded capitals and bases.

North Aisle

Entirely modern and "perpendicular" in style was added to the church by the Duke of Northumberland. The west bay of the aisle is screened off as a baptistery, and the centre of the aisle is occupied by a tracker organ which was originally in Magdelen College Oxford. This leaves the east end which has been turned into a lady chapel and the old high alter has been placed here when a new one was purchased. The reredos (screen behind the alter) depicts the Patron Saints of the British Isles.

Baptistery

Contains the fount presented in 1855 by the vicar and his wife in memory of their deceased children. The banner depicts the good shepherd. The original woodwork from the baptistry was removed earlier in the century and made by the Wilson's of Chatton into the reredos riddle posts which now surrounded the high alter.


Western Tower

Contains the principle entrance, lower part eighteenth century, top and saddle-back roof, circa 1844.