One of the most significant is the well-preserved carved tympanum over the west door (opening into Southgate Street), which depicts the agnus dei (lamb and flag), symbols of the Resurrection of Christ, based on the Book of Revelation. The church was built in the 12th century and includes a number of surviving Norman features. The restoration project was primarily funded by a £1.36 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Previously the buildings had fallen into disrepair and disuse, and were reopened for worship as well as a creative, community and events centre. In 2019, the church and Crypt schoolroom reopened after a two-year restoration project. In 1952, the parish was united with the parish of the former St Michael's Church. In 1836, Jemmy Wood, The Gloucester Miser, was buried there. In 1811, Robert Raikes, the founder of Sunday Schools, was buried beneath the South Chapel. George Whitefield, one of the founders of Methodism, gave his first sermon at the church in 1736. In 1643, during the Siege of Gloucester in the First English Civil War, the church was used as an ammunition factory and store. Mr and Mrs Cooke were both buried in the church and the north transept includes brasses to their memory.
The Crypt School was founded adjacent to the church in 1539 by Joan Cooke with money she inherited from her husband John, and the school room still exists, although the school has now moved to larger premises. The church was first recorded in 1140 and has played an important part in Gloucester's history since then.
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