Clifton: St Francis
Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham
Closed Church, 638220
Modern
Overview
Grid reference: SK 559 351
Vernon Royle for F. A. Broadhead & Royle, 1952. Cross on tower replaced 1999, following storm damage.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave and chancel in one, with south aisle, vestry, lobby and tower, and attached church hall to the north.
Description of Archaeology and History
No significant archaeological finds have been reported in the vicinity of the church. The area was farmland until its post-war development and there was no previous church on the site. There are no known burials on the site.
The church was designed by the architect Vernon Royle of the firm of F. A. Broadhead and Royle; F. A. Broadhead was the Diocesan Surveyor in Southwell & Nottingham and the firm were responsible for a number of churches in the diocese. The first vicar of the church was Stephen Verney, later involved with the rebuilding of Coventry Cathedral and ultimately Bishop of Repton. The church was built largely by voluntary labour, as Verney was inspired by the example of St Francis of Assisi building his church with his own hands. A local history forum records that local people contributed money for the construction of the church by ‘buying a brick’ for threepence.
Exterior Description
The tower is brick, faced with stone panels and with a large nine-light square window at the top to N and S. Projecting from the nave to the S, between the tower and S aisle, is a low, flat-roofed entrance lobby with a square-topped door and three small windows. The flat-roofed S aisle, slightly lower than the nave, also projects to the S; beyond it, at the E end, is a lower vestry with a tall chimney. The nave and chancel are roofed with a shallow pitched roof with overhanging eaves.
There is no main west window, but a projecting lobby to the W at low level features a large rectangular window in a stone frame, with stone panels beneath; there are four large rectangular windows at high level on the N side of the nave and three to the S aisle, and a small window at high level N and S in the chancel.
Connected to the church on the N side is a large church hall of a similar design and detailing to the church building; it has entrances to the W and N, and a projecting block containing kitchens to the E.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
20th century
Chancel
20th century
Aisle
20th century south
Vestry
20th century
Tower (component)
20th century
Church Hall
20th century attached to the north
Building Materials
Brick
20th century walls
Steel
20th century framework
Timber
20th century roof structure
Painted Plaster
20th century interior
Interior
Interior Description
The nave and chancel form a single space. The ceiling is pitched like the outside roof and its central line E to W is panelled and painted with a mural above the crossing, described below. There is a stone altar platform at the E end. The nave is divided from the aisle by slender columns, and there is a balcony supported on concrete pillars at the W end of the S aisle that supports the organ.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Two altars are recorded in the inventory: Light oak, 1953, donated by Portland Training College. and Light oak, 1957, donated by boys of Farnborough School. There is now one altar in the building, it is not clear which.
Pulpit
20th century Combined pulpit and lectern, light oak on brick base with metal sword in the front, 1957.
Lectern
20th century Additional lectern, light oak, donated by a Mr and Mrs Nixon, 1983, and made by a Farnborough school teacher.
Font (component)
20th century Stone, hexagonal, 1957.
Pew (component)
20th century light oak pews
Stall
20th century Light oak choir stalls, plain
Rail
20th century light oak
Organ (component)
20th century One two-manual pipe organ, electrically pumped. Original builder unknown; rebuilt by Henry Willis & Sons, 1956. Reportedly a good instrument.
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
assorted wooden
Registers date from 1952.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SK 559 351
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.
It is unknown whether 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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