Summary

First World War memorial. Erected c1920. Architect unknown.

Description

First World War memorial. Erected c1920. Architect unknown.

MATERIALS: Carved in granite.

DESCRIPTION: The war memorial sits in the churchyard of Marple Bridge United Reformed Church, within a small garden. The war memorial comprises a 3m tall Celtic Cross in granite, on a tapering shaft. The cross arms, boss and shaft are carved with interlace patterns in relief. The shaft sits on a tapered plinth on a single step base. The southern face of the plinth is inscribed TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN LOVING MEMORY / OF THOSE OF THE CHURCH / SUNDAY SCHOOL AND / BROTHERHOOD WHO FELL / IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919. /

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw an unprecedented wave of public commemoration with tens of thousands of memorials erected across the country, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and the official policy of not repatriating the dead, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was raised at Marple Bridge United Reformed Church, as permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

Reasons for Listing

Marple Bridge United Reformed Church War Memorial, which stands in a prominent position in the churchyard of Marple Bridge United Reformed Church, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20;

* Design: an elegant Celtic cross on a tall shaft carved with an interlace pattern in relief, on a stepped square plinth.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478803

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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