Nominal: 616.5 Hz Weight: 2416 lbs Diameter: 49.13" Bell 1 of 10
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1945
Dove Bell ID: 6223 Tower ID: 10453 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Southampton City Centre: St Mary
Diocese of Winchester
Church, 641324
http://www.saintmaryschurch.orgOverview
Grid reference: SU 426 116
The 'mother church' of Southampton, is situated east of the city centre. As successor to the original church of Saxon Hamwic it became a major church in the Middle Ages (probably collegiate) prior to being largely destroyed in 1550. In the 18th century it was rebuilt and, in the early 1800's enlarged; between 1878 and 1884 it was entirely rebuilt by G.E. Street. In the Second World War it was gutted and in 1954-56 re-constructed by Romilly B. Craze. The church consists of a nave and chancel, north and south transepts, and aisles extending the whole length of the church.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 1117 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
As successor to the original church of Saxon Hamwic it became a major church in the Middle Ages (probably collegiate) prior to being largely destroyed in 1550. In the 18th century it was rebuilt and, in the early 1800's enlarged; between 1878 and 1884 it was entirely rebuilt by G.E. Street. In the Second World War it was gutted and in 1954-56 re-constructed by Romilly B. Craze. The steeple was built in 1914 to the design of A.E. Street and is one of the finest Victorian steeples in England.
Exterior Description
The church consists of a nave and chancel, north and south transepts, and aisles extending the whole length of the church. There is a south-west tower and an eastern vestry. Built of stone in the Decorated style.
Externally the buttresses disappear just below the level of the springing. The spire itself is widely broached, with small pinnacles rising from the broaches. The bell-openings in the spire are pairs of tall moulded lancets. The general ground plan and some of the outside walls are Street's but Craze has heightened the building thereby destroying Street's proportions, making the interior just a big main space and a few subsidiary spaces, with no relationshipsbetween dimensions or parts.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
West window by Gerald Smith
Stained Glass
Windows in the Baptistry by Clayton & Bell
Building Materials
Limestone
19th Century
Fossiliferous
Limestone
19th Century
Limestone
Interior
Interior Description
The lofty interior of the tower is lit by two geometrical windows over the richly moulded doorway. The semicircular vaulted baptistry is the only other part of G.E. Street's design which has remain intact. Some of the windows in the aisles and transepts retain his tracery: they are in early geometricalpatterns or groups of lancetsilk In the south transept is a rose window above three lancets.
Fixtures and fittings
Reredos
The reredos depicting the Nativity was carved by Earp and has been removed from the chancel and placed in the south transept.
Bells
Nominal: 1556 Hz Weight: 450 lbs Diameter: 25.38" Bell 2 of 10
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1945
Dove Bell ID: 39810 Tower ID: 10453 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1386 Hz Weight: 490 lbs Diameter: 26.5" Bell 3 of 10
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1945
Dove Bell ID: 39811 Tower ID: 10453 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1235 Hz Weight: 541 lbs Diameter: 28" Bell 4 of 10
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1945
Dove Bell ID: 39812 Tower ID: 10453 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1163 Hz Weight: 588 lbs Diameter: 29" Bell 5 of 10
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1945
Dove Bell ID: 39813 Tower ID: 10453 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1034 Hz Weight: 713 lbs Diameter: 31.5" Bell 6 of 10
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1945
Dove Bell ID: 39814 Tower ID: 10453 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 924 Hz Weight: 845 lbs Diameter: 34" Bell 7 of 10
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1945
Dove Bell ID: 39815 Tower ID: 10453 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 823.5 Hz Weight: 1044 lbs Diameter: 37" Bell 8 of 10
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1945
Dove Bell ID: 39816 Tower ID: 10453 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 776.5 Hz Weight: 1224 lbs Diameter: 39.13" Bell 9 of 10
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1945
Dove Bell ID: 39817 Tower ID: 10453 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 692 Hz Weight: 1628 lbs Diameter: 43.5" Bell 10 of 10
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1945
Dove Bell ID: 39818 Tower ID: 10453 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 426 116
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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