Nominal: 846 Hz Weight: 751 lbs Diameter: 34.88" Bell 1 of 6
Founded by Henry I Oldfield and Robert Quernbie
Dove Bell ID: 3673 Tower ID: 15117 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Keyworth: St Mary Magdalene
Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham
Church, 638209
http://www.keyworthstantonbunnychurch.comOverview
Grid reference: SK 613 308
St Mary Magdalene stands at a high point in the historic centre of Keyworth at end of Main Street and overlooking the village Square. Much of Keyworth St Mary’s parish church was built in the 14th century, in the aftermath of the Black Death of 1348/9, though the chancel dates from the early 14th and the tower may be from the very early 15th century.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 315 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Historically, Keyworth was a small village on the Nottinghamshire Wolds, extending along Main Street to the South of the church. It grew slowly along streets to the North and East in the C19 with some houses including workshops for framework knitting, but the major development of the village took place after WWII. An estate of council housing was followed in the 1960s and 70s with large private developments. Much of Keyworth St Mary’s parish church was built in the 14th century, in the aftermath of the Black Death of 1348/9, though the chancel dates from the early 14th and the tower may be from the very early 15th century. A vestry was added to the north of the mediaeval building in 1975. There have been several major restorations, the most recent in 1870/2 (nave, chancel and aisles), 1926/7 (tower) and 1993 (roof of nave).
Exterior Description
The most striking and unique feature is the lantern tower. In contrast to most of the rest of the church, it was built of ashlar (dressed stone, in this case Triassic sandstone from Castle Donington). The south and north aisles immediately below the tower are also of ashlar, as is the south porch, though the external walls of the latter were refaced with local rubble in the 19th century. The rest (nave, north aisle and chancel) is built of undressed local Blue Lias limestone and rubble, except for the modern vestry which is of brick.
The South Aisle and porch are, like the tower, built of ashlar and are probably, like it, of very early 15th century origin. The south aisle is unusual in only occupying the rear of the church, so there are no arches linking it with the nave. The external walls of the porch were refaced with local limestone in the 19th century.
Interior
Interior Description
The basic plan of the church is rectangular rather than cruciform, with the long axis running the traditional west-east. There are no transepts and no west door. It is asymmetric in that the nave is flanked by a north, but not by a south aisle, except at the west end.
The chancel is the oldest part of the building, dating from the early 14th century. It is possible that the eastern third, roughly corresponding to the sanctuary behind the altar rail, was built somewhat later than the rest, and perhaps reflected in the contrast between the older Early English trefoil (three-leaf) headed lancet windows behind the choir stalls, and the newer Decorated quatrefoil headed windows above the sanctuary, including the big East window.
A doorway in the north wall once led to a small chantry chapel or vestry. This was a ruin by the early 19th century and is now the site of the modern vestry.
The Nave and North Aisle were probably built at the same time, in the late 14th century. The Perpendicular style window frames are plain and square-headed - perhaps a shortage of skilled craftsmen following the Black Death obliged builders to adopt simpler designs than previously (at any rate in a poor parish that could not afford to pay over the odds for scarce craftsmen). There are two gothic pointed arches between the nave and north aisle; and one each linking nave to chancel and the tower base respectively. Like the windows, they are plain, with little decoration.
Originally, the north aisle only extended as far back as the nave. When the tower was added, it was flanked by newly-built aisles, a westward extension of the north aisle, balanced by a south aisle west of the porch.
Bells
Nominal: 1416 Hz Weight: 390 lbs Diameter: 25" Bell 2 of 6
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 1992
Dove Bell ID: 26687 Tower ID: 15117 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1269 Hz Weight: 450 lbs Diameter: 26.5" Bell 3 of 6
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 1992
Dove Bell ID: 26688 Tower ID: 15117 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1131 Hz Weight: 494 lbs Diameter: 27.69" Bell 4 of 6
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 1992
Dove Bell ID: 26689 Tower ID: 15117 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1066 Hz Weight: 505 lbs Diameter: 29.5" Bell 5 of 6
Founded by George I Oldfield 1652
Dove Bell ID: 26690 Tower ID: 15117 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 949 Hz Weight: 640 lbs Diameter: 32.12" Bell 6 of 6
Founded by George I Oldfield 1628
Dove Bell ID: 26691 Tower ID: 15117 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SK 613 308
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
Quinquennial Inspections
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