 |  | Saint Giles
The Roman Catholic Church of Saint Giles in the Staffordshire market town of Cheadle has a spectacular interior and now you can find it out with our special gallery of 360 degree panoramic moving photos.., | | | |  A view of The Blessed Sacrament Chapel | | |
Known as "Pugin's Gem", St Giles' Church - built by Augustus Pugin - is the architect's own tribute to inner peace and serenity and a design wonder of the Gothic Revival - being opened just over 150 years ago.
Take a walk along the nave, look at the richly carved altar, visit the painted oak Lady Chapel and listen to the peal of eight bells.
You can check out its history by clicking here.
It's open a lot of the time, but further visiting details for the public can be found at the website
Photos
We visited Saint Giles and these are the "360° panoramic pictures" we took:
In front of the Rood Screen
The Rood Screen is made of oak and is richly carved. A Crucifixion scene rises above the Rood Screen, with statues of Our Lady and St John on either side of the cross. In this view you can also see the Pulpit, which was hewn in one block from the Earl's estate and carved in situ by Thomas Roddis.
View of the Easter Sepulchre
On this view you can see a painting of Christ being supported by angels at his burial in the tomb. Painted on the wall under the Sepulchre are emblems of Passion.
Blessed Sacrament Chapel
This is separated from the main body of the Church by ornate brass gates. The decoration of the Chapel shows Pugin's love of colour and depicts the Sacred Host and the Lamb of God.
The High Altar
The altar has been constructed from alabaster, and has been richly carved by Thomas Roddis.
View from the pews
The Nave area has five bays and is about fifteen metres in height. The pillars all have a different design and both the walls and arches are richly ornamented. Over the arches are images of the prophets. The roof is beamed and is of English oak. The floor is laid with Minton tiles.
History
Through the generosity of John Talbot, the 16th Earl of Shrewsbury (the Lord of the Manor at Alton Towers - now one of the country's most famous theme parks and just up the road!), Augustus Welby Pugin was commissioned to design and build a church that would have no rival. To achieve this, the Earl placed unlimited means at Pugin's disposal.
The Church itself was opened and consecrated on the 31st August 1846. The very next day the First Solemn Mass was celebrated amid great pomp and splendour. Historical records tell us that eight carriages bearing the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury and their guests left Alton Towers(when it was a stately home) for the drive to Cheadle. Among the guests were eight Deacons, 53 Priests, 13 Bishops and two Archbishops.
Unfortunately, the 16th Earl died before the Church could be endowed and his heir, the 17th Earl died only four years later. The 18th Earl was not a Roman Catholic and so the upkeep and maintenance of the Church has since fallen upon the parishioners and townspeople of Cheadle. | | |
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|  | BBC Stoke and Staffordshire
Cheapside
Hanley
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST1 1JJ
tel: (+44) 01782 221281
e-mail: [email protected] |
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 | BBC Stoke and Staffordshire
Cheapside Hanley Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire ST1 1JJ
Telephone 01782 221281 Fax 01782 289115 e-mail:[email protected] |
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