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| SAINT ACCA'S CROSS | |
| Bishop of Hexham 709–732 | |
| The larger cross is thought to have stood at the head and the | |
| smaller, which bears a crucifixion scene, at the foot of the | |
| grave of St Acca. |
| the Barker memorial window of 1903 is by Henry Holiday |
| The Paintings above in the triforium were designed by Temple | |
| Moore in 1912 to hide the blower to the organ |
| SAINT ACCA'S CROSS | |
| Bishop of Hexham 709 – 732 |
The tall highly decorated stone was thought to have stood at the foot
of St Acca's grave. A smaller stone, often also associated with the
grave is now in the Exhibition Centre in the former Priory building.
In front of you, the Barker memorial window of 1903 is by Henry
Holiday.
The paintings above in the Triforium were designed by Temple Moore
in 1912 to hide the blower to the then organ.
[Oct 2022–?]
| St Acca's Cross | |
| The tall, highly decorated stone was thought to have stood | |
| at the head of St Acca's grave. A smaller stone, often also | |
| associated with the grave is now in The Big Story Exhibition. |
| In front of you, the Barker memorial window of 1903 is by | |
| Henry Holiday. |
| The paintings above in the Triforium were designed by | |
| Temple Moore in 1912 to hide the blower to the then organ. |
| THE CROSS | |
| WHICH STOOD AT THE HEAD OF THE GRAVE OF | |
| ACCA | |
| BISHOP OF HEXHAM | |
| A.D. 709 – 732. WHO DIED A.D. 740. |
1935: “The Rector (J V C Farquhar) prevailed upon the Dean (Dr C A Alington) and Chapter of Durham to return the Acca Cross which had been at Durham in the Chapter Library since 1870. The site for its erection in the South Transept was approved by Sir Eric Maclagan and Sir Charles Pears. A replica of the cross was presented to the Dean & Chapter of Durham.” [EP 184/274: Parish of Hexham Inventory 1932 et seq, copy on HEXAB9516.2]
1936: “The Acca Cross Faculty granted for transference. Faculty granted to Hexham Abbey to place the much discussed Acca's Cross at present in Durham at the Cathedral. There was no opposition to the request. Both Sir Charles Peer, architect and adviser to the Dean and Chapter at Durham and Sir Eric Maclagan of the V&A Museum agreed that Hexham Abbey is the most suitable place for the cross. The site of the cross will be under the arch opening from the south transept and the northern of the two Eastern chapels in that transept, the cross to be set on two base stones and to provide electric light so that the eastern face of the cross (which might not be clearly seen) can be well shown when desired. The V&A is undertaking to make a cast of the cross for Durham Chapter Library and will commence work on 4 May. Major Ian Straker has kindly consented to pay the cost of transit of the cross from Durham. The cost of the transfer will be about £55 and it is hoped that this will be covered in the early part of the summer. An appeal, to this end, will it is understood, be launched shortly.” [Hex.Cour. 02/05/1936]
Cast made of Acca's Cross [in Durham]; Faculty for removal to N arch in E aisle of S transept. [Hex.Par.Mag. May 1936 p4]
Acca's Cross has been set up in the Abbey – on 10th July [Hex.Par.Mag. Aug 1936 p.4; see also April 1937 p10]
“The greater part of the cross from the head of Acca's grave in four pieces, and many other relics of the same period have been taken from Hexham, and are now preserved in the Cathedral Library, Durham. These are all fully described and illustrated in a valuable work by Professor Haverfield and the late Canon Greenwell. A replica of Acca's cross was erected, by public subscription, and placed in the cemetery at Hexham, to the memory of the late Isaac Baty, in 1894. It was designed by C C Hodges.” [Hodges & Gibson 1919 p.73]
“… the portions of one of the crosses which have been found. The first of these was brought to light in 1858, when the eastern chapels were removed. Another, the largest piece, did duty as the lintel of a doorway at Dilston, and was given by the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital to the Cathedral Library at Durham. The collection of early carved stones made by Mr Fairless passed into the possession of the Dean and Chapter of Durham about 1870. In 1874 two more fragments of the same cross, which fitted to one another, were found in an old building adjoining St Mary's Chare. These were purchased by the Rev. Canon Greenwell, and deposited along with the other pieces in the Cathedral Library, Durham. Recent investigations have shewn that these four stones are all portions of the same cross, on one side of which was a long inscription. Only a few words can be read with certainty, but there can be little doubt that the initial word is ACCA.” [Hodges 1888 p.50]
St Acca is depicted in painted panels HEXAB133.14 & HEXAB202.5, and in stained glass: HEXAB1417 & HEXAB1431.5
EP 184/123 (1935–1936) Papers mainly correspondence re Acca's Cross. Includes printed leaflet, St Acca, Bishop of Hexham and plan of Abbey dating various parts of the structure, n.d.
1936. St Acca's Cross. On the 21st day of April 1936. To place the shaft of St Acca's Cross at present in the Chapter Library at Durham, within the Priory Church of Hexham aforesaid under the arch opening from the South Transept to the northern of the two eastern Chapels in the Transept. The Cross Shaft to be set on two base stones; and to provide electric light so that the East face of the cross (which might not always be clearly seen) can be well shown when desired. Faculty reg. no.1, p.65, no.1300. NRO EP.184/80.
‘Hexham Cemetery’ pp.10,31.