York Historic Environment Record

First World War memorial, unveiled 22 January 1921. MATERIALS: Clipsham stone; oak cross DESCRIPTION: The war memorial is situated to the south of the Grade I-listed Church of St Cuthbert, immediately adjacent to the entrance porch. It takes the form of a tall, oak Latin cross rising from a four-sided, tapering Clipsham stone plinth surmounting a single-stepped, square, stone base. Both faces of the cross have the inscription IN HOC SIGNO VINCES (In this sign you will conquer) written across the horizontal arm; carved above the inscription to the vertical arm is the Chi Rho symbol. The plinth carries the inscriptions in incised lettering. The south-west face of the plinth reads IN THANKFULNESS/ TO ALMIGHTY GOD. To the south-east face are the words 865 PARISHIONERS/ SERVED IN THE WAR/ 1914-1918. The north-east face reads TO THE LOVE OF GOD/ THE FALLEN/ ARE COMMENDED. The north-west face reads THE WOMEN/ AND CHILDREN/ DID THEIR PART. A further inscription reads anti clockwise around the top part of the plinth starting from south-west face CONSTANTINE THE GREAT/ PROCLAIMED EMPEROR/ IN THIS PARISH/ AD 306. Reasons for designation: Historic interest: * as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the First World War; * for the unusual inclusion of a dedication to Constantine the Great and his association with the city of York; his renown is utilised on the memorial as a symbol of victory and the Christian faith, making a direct association between him and the valour of those who served in the First World War. Architectural interest: * a well-executed Latin cross memorial. Group value: * with the Grade I-listed Church of St Cuthbert.