Nominal: 996.5 Hz Weight: 672 lbs Diameter: 31" Bell 1 of 4
Founded by Joseph Eayre 1767
Dove Bell ID: 2122 Tower ID: 12586 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Draughton: St Catherine
Overview
Grid reference: SP 761 768
14th century Nave, North and South Aisles, Chancel rebuilt in 1892, Vestry and a small squat west Tower dated late 12th century. A significant restoration and re-building scheme in 1892 under the direction of J.P. St Aubyn. Some surviving Georgian work by John Wing in the north transept. Wing is also credited with bringing in the font from Maidwell church in 1781.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Late 12th century west tower, south porch entrance, nave with north and south aisles containing 14th century arcades, chancel largely rebuilt in 1892.
Footprint of Church buildings: 285 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Draughton is a shrunken medieval village. Earthworks suggest that the village was formerly more regular in plan with E-W street continuing further to the W and a series of rectangular closes, most clear S of the church, running S.E. to meet a narrow back lane. Former farm buildings to N.E. shown on 1837 map.
The church and churchyard have high archaeological potential and the churchyard appears heavily buried, including recent burials. The church is surrounded by mature trees including a yew and a straight run of five pollarded (lime?) trees on the southern boundary of the churchyard. There is some evidence of bats in the church.
Draughton is mentioned in the Doomsday Book as Bracstone or Dractone.
Exterior Description
The exterior is coursed lias rubble with limestone ashlar dressings and a plain tile roof to the chancel, porch and vestry and lead roof to the nave and aisles. Aisled nave, chancel and west tower.
The oldest part of the church is the west tower which dates from the late C12. It is of 3 stages with a large 2-stage clasped buttresses at the western corner. There is a single lancet to first and second stage and a simple 2-light bell chamber openings to 3 faces of third stage. There is a plain parapet. The third stage is banded with ashlar and was probably restored in C17. There is a clock on the west face.
South elevation of a 3-window range has two 2-light windows with reticulated tracery with single lancet between, probably reset. Fragments of masonry from earlier openings are built into the wall below windows. A C19 three-light east window has reticulated tracery with roundel.
North elevation similar with one 2-light window. Gabled roof with ashlar parapets and finial. South aisle of 2-window range with single lancet to left and 2-light square headed window to right. Similar 3-light east window. 2-light west window with plate tracery lean-to roof. C14 gabled porch to left has double chamfered arch. North aisle of 2-window range of one and 2-light square headed windows set in deep splays; lean-to roof. North vestry projection has 3-light C18 window with Gothic tracery attributed to John Wing; originally the east window this was reset in C19. Gabled roof with ashlar parapets and twin stone stacks at apex.
Building Fabric and Features
Tower (component)
12th century west
Porch
14th century
Nave
14th century
Aisle
14th century north and south
Chancel
19th century largely rebuilt
Building Materials
Stone
14th century Coursed lias rubble
Limestone
14th century ashlar dressings
Tile
19th century roof
Lead
19th century roof
Wood
14th century roof structure
Interior
Interior Description
Inside the church there is a 3-bay nave arcade of C13 double chamfered arches (Pevsner says C14) with octagonal piers, those to the south having nailhead decoration to the capitals. The late C12 pointed tower arch also has nailhead decoration to the capitals.
In the south aisle there are C14 Decorated windows which were used as a model for those in the chancel when this was largely rebuilt in 1892 under the direction of J.P. St Aubyn. There is a piscina in the south wall of the south aisle.
The chancel has a C19 single arcade to the vestry and there is a C13 double chamfered chancel arch.
The 1892 restoration installed multiple flights of steps and an array of Minton tiles in the sanctuary, replacing a Georgian scheme of which some elements survive, most notably a large Gothick window, now in the north transept at its east end by John Wing of Leicester, dating c.1780.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century Wooden with no decoration to the table itself.
Pulpit
19th century Part of the 1892 restoration, paid for by the Loders of Maidwell, who were patrons of the church and also paid for the choir stalls and nave benches.
Lectern
19th century Mid-19th century, described by Pevsner as ‘Puginesque’ in style.
Font (component)
18th century Baluster with a serpent winding round the stem. It was brought to St Catherine’s from Maidwell church in 1781 by John Wing.
Bench (seat)
14th / 17th century The nave benches are late C14 (HE says C16) with intricate tracery panels. These were partly remade in the 1880s. There are four sets on south side and five sets on North side. The panels are paired, so each end of one bench will have the same design, but they vary from bench to bench. The aisle benches are in a C17 style, similar to those at nearby Maidwell. However inspection suggests they may in fact be C18 construction but further investigation is needed. There nine sets in the North aisle and six on the south. They all appear identical.
Rail
19th century Iron decorative rails with a wooden top.
Organ (component)
19th century Came here from St. Mary, Wolverton End, Stony Stratford, consecrated in 1870. Erected 1890 in memory of George Ashby-Ashby. CHD now says this organ is by Flight. 1 manual and pedals, 8 speaking stops.
Inscribed Object
18th / 19th century Monument, to Maunselns Courtman 1704 to left of altar is tablet with skull and cross bones above. Plain tablet to Adams family 1778 to south of chancel. Hatchment and painted inscription with The Lords Prayer and Creed above tower arch. Similar painted panel relating to will of Mary Chapman 1826 in north aisle. Inscribed metal plate to Mary Ada As 1775 in nave floor. Ledger slab at east end of the S aisle with winged skull and Latin inscription dated 1715. Inscription worn but suggests there is an associated burial. Later additions of other inscriptions suggest other burials.
Inscribed Object
20th century Wall mounted, portrait orientated Roll of Honour memorial adjacent to the west tower arch, consisting of a decorative pitch topped wooden frame & panelled inscription board. Inscribed lettering infilled with gold coloured paint. Small wooden cross mounted on apex of frame. Contains 20 names with the four who died being separated out Inscription: TO THE GLORY OF GOD / This tablet is erected by the inhabitants / of Draughton, to commemorate the names / of those men who went from this Parish / to serve with His Majestys Forces in / the Great War 1914-1918 / Fretter, H., Patrick, H., Robinson, F., Warwick, S. / "May Light perpetual / shine upon them"
Stained Glass (window)
19th / 20th century In the south aisle an east window by Kempe, 1894. In the east end of the chancel a window by C.E. Moore, 1933. East window in loving memory of Reginald Bernard Loder of Maidwell Hall born 1864 died 1931
Bells
Nominal: 1314.5 Hz Diameter: 26" Bell 2 of 4
Founded by Joseph Eayre 1767
Dove Bell ID: 18656 Tower ID: 12586 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 1241.5 Hz Diameter: 28" Bell 3 of 4
Founded by Joseph Eayre 1767
Dove Bell ID: 18657 Tower ID: 12586 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 1114.5 Hz Diameter: 29" Bell 4 of 4
Founded by Joseph Eayre 1767
Dove Bell ID: 18658 Tower ID: 12586 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 761 768
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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