Pooles Lane, Selsley GL5 5LE
Standing majestically on the hillside, the church of All Saints is the focal point of the village of Selsley, as well as sitting at the very heart of the English Arts & Crafts Movement. The Village retains its rural character with its working farms, Cotswold stone cottages, the Inn and the magnificent common rising above it.
Visits to our beautiful Church are most welcome, including coach parties. We can also arrange for refreshments and a guide to describe the history of the church.
History
Built under the patronage of Sir Samuel Stephens Marling, the church was an early commission for G. F. Bodley, a young architect who had trained under Sir George Gilbert Scott. George Bodley had got to know the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood in 1858, and it was his promise of commissions that contributed to the establishment of a fine arts design firm by William Morris that included Edward Burne-Jones, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Ford Madox Brown, and Philip Webb. This remarkable partnership of artists and intellectuals was called upon to design-stained glass windows for the new Church.
The church was William Morris’ first ecclesiastical commission and (uniquely) the only church in Britain to have all its windows designed by Morris and his colleagues.
A delightful feature of the church is the series of three large windows along the south side of the nave which flood the space with light. Uncoloured glass admits this light and contrasts with rich colours in the three triptychs: the Sermon on the Mount by Dante Gabriel Rossetti nearest the altar, St. Paul preaching at Athens in the centre window by William Morris, and Christ Blessing the Children by Edward Burne-Jones in the third window.
Capturing afternoon sunshine, the Rose window above the west door depicts scenes from the Creation that include a richly coloured Adam and Eve that is considered to be one of the best small-scale designs in stained glass by William Morris.
More information can be found online at: All Saints Church Selsley
Contacts
William Douglas, Church Warden
01453 750558
churchwarden.selsley@gmail.com
Marion Charlwood, Church Warden
01453 350669