Church of the Holy Cross, Wilcot
The first record of the church is in the Domesday Book in 1086, where it is described as new, probably built by Edward of Salisbury who obtained the land at the Conquest. His grandson Patrick gave the church to Bradenstoke Priory, which retained control of it until the dissolution of the monasteries. Their ownership was confirmed in 1182, 1184 and c.1205. The 1205 confirmation required the priory to maintain a vicar but there is no evidence of this until the 16th century. The church was probably served by chaplains appointed by the Priory. The ‘deacon of Wilcot’ ordained in 1312 may have been one such. There was a dependent chapel at Draycot in the mid 12th century also served by Bradenstoke chaplains, it was still there in 1361 but is not recorded thereafter.
A vicarage was ordained in 1535; the first recorded presentation was in 1542 when the king chose the vicar. From then on the vicar was chosen by the lords of Wilcot until 1954 when Captain G. E. S. Montagu transferred the right of presentation to the bishop. Wilcot was always a poor living, being valued at £6.17.0d in 1535 and at less than £30 in 1677. It was worth £143 in 1831 and £190 in 1864.
A vicarage was ordained in 1535; the first recorded presentation was in 1542 when the king chose the vicar. From then on the vicar was chosen by the lords of Wilcot until 1954 when Captain G. E. S. Montagu transferred the right of presentation to the bishop. Wilcot was always a poor living, being valued at £6.17.0d in 1535 and at less than £30 in 1677. It was worth £143 in 1831 and £190 in 1864.
The church is built of rubble and ashlar with ashlar dressings. It has a chancel with a south porch, a nave with a north aisle, a south porch and a west tower. The original church had been rebuilt by the 12th century but only the chancel arch remains of this building. During the 14th century an arcade and aisle were added and the nave was probably reroofed. The tower was built in the 15th century. In 1835 the nave and chancel roof were rebuilt. However, in 1876 the church was badly damaged by a fire started by sparks from the chimney of the adjacent manor house. It was rebuilt with a longer chancel and the north door into the nave was blocked up.
The church had no plate in 1553, a chalice and paten cover were given by the parishioners in 1664 and a paten, for holding the bread of the Eucharist, was given in 1708. A complete new set of plate was given in 1856.
The registers of the parish date from 1564 and, apart from those in current use, are held at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre in Chippenham.
The church had no plate in 1553, a chalice and paten cover were given by the parishioners in 1664 and a paten, for holding the bread of the Eucharist, was given in 1708. A complete new set of plate was given in 1856.
The registers of the parish date from 1564 and, apart from those in current use, are held at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre in Chippenham.