Guy, M., Amadio, L. and Gill, J. (2009). St Cross Church Holywell Oxford Historic Buildings Assessment. Oxford Archaeology. https://doi.org/10.5284/1103681. Cite this using datacite

Title
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Title:		 St Cross Church Holywell Oxford Historic Buildings Assessment
Series
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Series:		 Oxford Archaeological Unit unpublished report series
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Downloads:
oxfordar1-508179_190354.pdf (12 MB) : Download
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DOI
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.5284/1103681
Publication Type
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Publication Type:		 Report (in Series)
Abstract
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Abstract:		 Oxford Archaeology (OA) has been commissioned by Montgomery Architects on behalf of Balliol College to undertake an investigation of St Cross Church in Oxford. The work relates to a proposal to convert most of the church, which is no longer used, to an archive store for the college. The chancel will remain consecrated and the proposal to convert the rest of the building will require a faculty rather than a planning permission. The purpose of the assessment is to allow the Diocesan authorities a more informed consideration of the application for this faculty. A faculty has been granted for the removal of a series of pews and floorboards (to allow minor investigations of the floor sub-structure) and OA has undertaken some limited recording of features exposed by these works. A geophysical (ground penetrating radar) survey was undertaken as part of these investigations. The current document only covers the impact assessment. The assessment has been based on observations during several site visits in October and November 2008 as well as in February 2009. Historical research has also been undertaken at the Oxfordshire Record Office and the Centre for Oxfordshire Studies. The church is Grade II listed and a Pastoral Measures Report has been undertaken by Joseph Elders which provides much information on the history and fabric of the building. Further useful information has also been supplied by Dr JH Jones (Senior Fellow, Balliol College) who is undertaking considerable research into the history St Cross Church including preparing lists of known burials from documentary references. Balliol College is proposing to undertake a development at St Cross Church in Oxford which would see the conversion of the large majority of the church to the college's archive store. OA has been commissioned by Montgomery Architects, on behalf of Balliol College, to undertake an assessment of the historical significance of the church and an assessment of the impact of the proposed development on the building. The purpose of this assessment will be to allow the planning and Diocesan authorities a more informed consideration of the proposal. St Cross is a Norman church that has been greatly altered and most of the existing fabric is of 19thcentury date. The principal surviving medieval fragments include the chancel arch, possibly parts of the chancel walls, the lower part of the tower including a west doorway and arches to the north and south aisles. As well as the building itself the church is also of significance for its large cemetery (although this is distinct from the church and the ancient churchyard) with the graves of several notable figures including Kenneth Grahame, and for its prominent location which has made the church a familiar landmark. The church is no longer actively used and it requires a new use (which preserves a small consecrated area) to ensure it is maintained and to give it a viable future. The current proposal to convert the church to an archive store will have both direct and indirect impacts on the building (detailed below) but it would be a good option and the impacts would not affect the most significant elements of St Cross. The exterior of the building should remain entirely (or very largely) untouched so the building's setting and significance as a familiar landmark would be unchanged. In addition the important graveyard should also remain unaffected by the development. The oldest and most significant elements of the building are within the chancel and this area will remain consecrated and outside any direct impact of the development. The medieval doorway and arches in the lower part of the west tower will be within the development but they will remain visible and largely unaffected.
Author
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Author:		 Matt Guy
L Amadio
Jonathan Gill
Publisher
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Publisher:		 Oxford Archaeology
Year of Publication
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Year of Publication:		 2009
Locations
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Locations:
Parish: Oxford, unparished area
Country: England
County: Oxfordshire
District: Oxford
Grid Reference: 452013, 206657 (Easting, Northing)
Subjects / Periods
Subjects / Periods
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Subjects / Periods:
BUILDINGS APPRAISAL (Event)
BURIAL VAULT (Monument Type England)
POST MEDIEVAL BURIAL VAULT (Tag)
GRAVE (Monument Type England)
POST MEDIEVAL GRAVE (Tag)
POST MEDIEVAL (Historic England Periods)
Identifiers
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Identifiers:
OASIS Id: oxfordar1-508179
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Created Date
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Created Date:		 10 Mar 2023