COUNTRY CHURCHES

73. Holy Cross, Durley

This 13th century church stands in isolation north of Botley on the westernmost edge of the Portsmouth diocese. For many centuries it formed part of the parish of Upham. Today its attractive wooden belfrey tower lies half-hidden behind a massive yew tree reputed to be 900 years old.

The church is cruciform in plan, 75 feet long with two transepts 45 feet wide. Entrance is by the Norman south door with Crusader crosses scratched alongside and one is immediately aware of the magnificent open timbered roof of Spanish chestnut, which was hidden by plastering until the restoration of 1879. The impression is of the shell of an upturned boat. Similarly the belfrey tower contains huge beams dating from medieval times. Names of the nine villagers killed in the Second World War are carved on the doors leading into the tower.

The square font near the door made of Purbeck marble is of Norman origin. Above it hangs a list of all the vicars, a beautiful example of calligraphic art. The pulpit with its canopy is carved Jacobean work. The initials A.W., E.D. and T.C. and the date 1630 can be seen on it. A.W. was Arthur Warwick, curate at the time.

The church was once full of wall paintings but only traces of two remain today. One on the window splay of the north wall of the sanctuary shows an evangelist, whilst the other on the window splay in the north transept shows a ship with a sailor climbing aloft.

The arch in the south transept is believed to mark the tomb of William Oysell who in his will dated 1410 requested to be buried in the chapel of Holy Cross. He also left £45 for prayers to be said for his repose as well as a cow for the chapel at Marwell.

The east window contains Victorian stained glass dating from the 1879 restoration by the Revd. Ferguson. The three figures of Faith, Charity and Love are portrayed. The window on the north side of the chancel shows the prophets Isaiah and Daniel, whilst the south side window depicts St John and St Paul.

The nave contains some interesting memorials especially that of Sir William Jenner (1815-98), who was Queen Victoria's Physician for 36 years and also President of the Royal College of Physicians. Nearer to the belfrey is the memorial of one of his sons Arthur Charles William Jenner, Barrister at Law, who was Sub-Commissioner for Jubaland in East Africa and Vice-Consul at Kismayu. On the 16 November 1900 whilst making a tour of inspection he was "killed with nearly the whole of his escort in a treacherous attack on his camp by Ogaden Somali." The grave of his brother Louis Leopold, a doctor and research student of the Lister Institute of Preventative Medicine can be seen in the churchyard. He died of enteric fever in 1904 caught as a result of his medical researches.

Elsewhere in the church is a memorial plaque to the Revd. Richard Ferguson, vicar for 17 years, who inspired the 1879 restoration. In the north transept a photograph can be seen of the old church before 1879.

Two historical figures connected with the church include Gilbert White, the famous naturalist of Selborne fame, who was a curate at Durley from 1754-56. Also it is possible that Oliver Cromwell visited the Church since his sister Bridget, married to General Ireton, lived in the village.

John Symonds