Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1381 to 1381. Parish church constructed in 1381 with 15th century additions. Additions were also carried out during the 19th century. Restorations took place in 1860, 1870 and 1895. It is constructed of flint and stone with a hipped tile roof. The church became redundant in 1978 and converted into a New Council Chamber.

Monument Types

• CHURCH (CHURCH, Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• SITE (Medieval - 1381 AD to 1381 AD)
• CHURCH (CHURCH, Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TR 15 NW 8:
[TR 14955806] Holy Cross Church [NAT]. (1) The Church of the Holy Cross, Westgate or St Dunstan's St, Canterbury,is dated 1381 and has some 15thc windows. (2) In normal use. (3) Church of the Holy Cross, St Dunstan's St. Grade II*. Built mainly in 1381 with some 15thc windows. 1 storey flint faced with stone dressings. South west tower with hipped tiled roof. (4) Additional bibliography. (5) Holy Cross Church, Canterbury, became redundant in 1978 and converted into a New Council Chamber. Churchyard exists though closed for burials in 1855. The northern part of the churchyard, wall and church porch were removed for road widening in the early 19th century. (6) Built 1381 at same time as Westgate, upon which it was formerly sited 19th century porch. Much restored, c1860, 1870 and 1895. Tiled, gabled roofs. (7)

The Canterbury UAD mentions that in 1375-80 The Church of Holy Cross above Westgate was relocated to a new site to the south of the Westgate. The graveyard, with headstones in place, is extant but closed to burials in 1855. The patron of the church was St Gregory's Priory. The northern part of the churchyard and the wall and church porch were removed in the early 19th century for road widening. The church became redundant in 1978 and was converted into a new council chamber. Built mainly in 1381 with some C15 windows. 1 storeys flint faced with stone dressings. South west towers with hipped tiled roof. (8)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 944 ST DUNSTAN'S STREET
Church of the Holy Cross TR 1458 SE 2/101 3.12.49.
B
2. Built mainly in 1381 with some C15 windows. 1 storey flint faced with stone dressings. South west tower with hipped tiled roof.
shall be amended to read
1. 944 ST DUNSTAN'S STREET
Church of the Holy Cross TR 1458 SE 2/101 3.12.49.
II*
2. Built mainly in 1381 with some C15 windows. 1 storey flint faced with stone dressings. South west tower with hipped tiled roof.
1. 944 ST DUNSTAN'S STREET
Church of the Holy Cross TR 1458 SE 2/101 3.12.49.
B
2. Built mainly in 1381 with some C15 windows. 1 storey flint faced with stone dressings. South west tower with hipped tiled roof.
Listing NGR: TR1459258063 (10)

Additional bibliography (11)

Historic England archive material: BF051852 CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS, CANTERBURY File of material relating to a site or building. This material has not yet been fully catalogued. Copyright, date, and quantity information for this record may be incomplete or inaccurate.

<1> OS 1:2500 1957 (OS Card Reference). SKE48200.

<2> MHLG (944/11/A Mar 1962) 40 (OS Card Reference). SKE47036.

<3> F1 FGA 01-FEB-65 (OS Card Reference). SKE42878.

<4> DOE (HHR) City of Canterbury Kent Sept 1973 207 (OS Card Reference). SKE40037.

<5> BOE NE and E Kent 1983 239-240 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE38222.

<6> CBA Churches Comm Bull 25 1989 compiled 1984 10 11 (T Tatton-Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE38780.

<7> Hist Builds Survey Cant City Council/RCHME 57035 6 of 29 (OS Card Reference). SKE43891.

<8> Tatton-Brown, Tim., 1980, Canterbury Parish Churches (Unpublished document). SKE28328.

<9> Diocese of Rochester (Tim Tatton-Brown), 1992, Canterbury, Holy Cross Diocesan church survey (Unpublished document). SKE29606.

<10> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<11> Rupert Austin, 2001, Personal Comment Rupert Austin, Inventory List (Unpublished document). SKE28531.

Sources and further reading