Church of the Holy Cross, Ashton Keynes
The church of the Holy Cross was built between the 12th and the 15th centuries and was restored in 1876. It is built of stone and consists of a chancel with north chapel, a nave with north and south aisles and porches, and a west tower. It was standing in the late 12th century, when a new chancel arch and a north arcade were built. The tub font, carved with chevrons and palmettes, is also from this century.
In the early 13th century the south aisle was added and the east end of the church was altered. The south and east walls of the chancel were rebuilt, a traceried east window was inserted and the chapel was built.
In the 14th century the tower and north porch were built, the clerestory was inserted and the walls of the aisles and all the roofs were rebuilt. The exterior of the church retains its mainly 14th century appearance.
In the later 15th century the south porch was built and the south doorway altered. In the same century some windows were replaced and fragments of 15th century glass remain in the east window. The wagon roof dates mainly from the 15th century and has carved and painted ties. The chapel was re-roofed in the 17th century.
In the early 13th century the south aisle was added and the east end of the church was altered. The south and east walls of the chancel were rebuilt, a traceried east window was inserted and the chapel was built.
In the 14th century the tower and north porch were built, the clerestory was inserted and the walls of the aisles and all the roofs were rebuilt. The exterior of the church retains its mainly 14th century appearance.
In the later 15th century the south porch was built and the south doorway altered. In the same century some windows were replaced and fragments of 15th century glass remain in the east window. The wagon roof dates mainly from the 15th century and has carved and painted ties. The chapel was re-roofed in the 17th century.
The church was restored by William Butterfield in 1876-7. The east end of the chancel was enhanced by raising the altar. Above the altar ribs and bosses were added to form a vault, which was painted, and polychrome brickwork was added to the walls in a lattice pattern. To draw attention to this new work the chancel arch was widened. Most of the medieval fabric was otherwise treated with care and very plain furnishings were installed. The cost of the restoration was £2,018.6s.10d and almost all the money was raised by private subscription. The Duke of Cleveland contributed £600 and the vicar £500.
The earlier building had seats for 1,000 people, many of whom were probably seated in galleries. On Census Sunday in 1851 morning service was attended by 200 people and evening service by over 300. There was also a large Sunday School at the church attended by over 100 children. The new building provided pews to seat 349 people and there was no gallery.
The earlier building had seats for 1,000 people, many of whom were probably seated in galleries. On Census Sunday in 1851 morning service was attended by 200 people and evening service by over 300. There was also a large Sunday School at the church attended by over 100 children. The new building provided pews to seat 349 people and there was no gallery.
Several priests served the parish for long periods of time, including four incumbents who stayed over 40 years. This stability is reflected in the churchwardens' presentments, which show that the parishioners were, in most cases, pleased with the quality of their ministers. The number of services provided was almost unchanged from 1783 through to the late 19th century. There were two services each Sunday between Easter and Michaelmas and one each Sunday for the rest of the year. Services were held more frequently for much of the 20th century, although congregations gradually dwindled. In 2004 the average congregation was 33. From 1982 the vicar also served Minety as priest-in-charge and from 1987 as vicar of the new benefice of Ashton Keynes, Leigh and Minety. The church has a choir and a band of bell ringers.
The parish registers dating from 1582, other than those in current use, can be found at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.
The parish registers dating from 1582, other than those in current use, can be found at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.