Whitchurch Churchyard Cross

Browse crosses

Location: Just inside the main entrance to the churchyard and to the right of the path that leads up to the Church.

O/S Grid Ref:  SX/49299/72683               Longitude/Latitude (Degrees+/-):  -4.12785/50.53445

Map location:  Click here to view map.

Purpose:  Churchyard Cross.

Size: The cross is 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 metres) high and 2 feet 8 inches inches (0.81 metres) across the arms. The width of the shaft measures 13 inches (0.33 metres) and the depth is 11 inches (0.28 metres).

Information:  This is a relatively modern cross that stands in an ancient socket stone.  The cross is more or less square in section, although the shaft william_mudge_inscription.jpg (162495 bytes)whitchurch_churchyard_north.jpg (120219 bytes)does taper very slightly as it goes up from the socket stone.  A smooth area has been recessed towards the base of the cross, on the side facing the church and this shows the inscription: Erected in / Memory of / William / Henry / Mudge / 1981 / By / Parishioners.

The cross stands in an ancient socket stone, although it is not known which cross this was made to support or where that cross would have originally been sited.  The socket stone stands quite tall at 1 foot 11 inches (0.58 metres), with a width of 2 feet 4 inches (0.71 metres).  The stone is octagonal in shape and has been chamfered all around the top edge.

whitchurch_porch.jpg (155344 bytes)whitchurch_church.jpg (139032 bytes)St Andrew's Church sits at the quiet end of the village beside the road that leads up to Whitchurch Down and the moorland beyond.  It has quite an extensive graveyard which extends some way up the grounds behind the church.  The church porch also supports a small cross on the apex of its roof and a sun dial has been fixed to the face of the wall below.  Around the side of the church and standing above the road is the Whitchurch War Memorial Cross.