FEATURE
The medieval church of Holy Cross
in Binstead is one of the Island’s
hidden gems. Christian worship
has taken place on this site for
nearly 1,000 years, and it is one
of those churches that you can
feel the presence of many previous
generations of worshippers.
It is located between the centre
of the village and the coast. Now it
is surrounded by houses and a golf
course, but once it would have stood
in an open space on high ground
dominating its surroundings.
The church would have served the
local community which then would
have been focussed on the local
quarries, and it is of that local stone
that the church is built.
Originally it consisted of nave
and chancel. In the 13th and again
in the 18th centuries remodelling
and enlargement took place. At
the latter time a porch was added.
Above the archway of the porch is
a small carving of a bird and cross
symbolising the Holy Spirit. The
changes culminated in 1844 when
the nave was pulled down and
rebuilt.
Inside the church feels warm and
welcoming, and it is immaculately
kept. Around the walls are
memorials of various kinds and
some fine stained glass. In the north
aisle are two windows of particular
note by Gabriel Loire of Chartres.
There are also windows by Lawrence
Lee, and it is good to see important
restoration work being carried out.
The wooden altar dates from
the 16th or 17th century and has
some notable carving. The wooden
panelling around the chancel is also
very fine and dates from 1932 when
it was brought from Winchester
College Chapel.
The pews, a much later addition,
tend to add a slightly cluttered feel,
and with a church of this age it is
important to try and imagine the
interior without them. In that way
you can gain a much better sense of
Picture by Laura Boynton
the openness of the space.
In the belfry hangs an ancient bell
inscribed in black letter 'Sancta
Maria ora pro nobis,' which local
legend suggests came from the old
monastery at Quarr.
Outside a Sheela Na Gig, locally
known as the 'Saxon Idol', is
carved on a stone gateway to the
churchyard. This is the old Norman
arch of the old doorway to the
original Norman chancel.
On the churchyard in general I
have to agree with Pevsner, who
says: ‘[It] has been cleared of most
of its tombstones, a deplorable
practice in a place with a tradition
of stone carving.’ However to
note is the headstone of Thomas
Sivell, a ferryman shot in 1776 in
the mistaken belief that he was a
smuggler. Also resting a little way
off are all four of my grandparents.
All lived to great ages and unlike
their neighbour w W&R