Diameter: 24.25" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Pack & Chapman 1779
Dove Bell ID: 54105 Tower ID: 20189 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Foulness: St Mary Virgin
Overview
Grid reference: TR 3 932
This is quite a large Victorian village church of grey stone, the defining features being its relative simplicity with lancets, tall narrow dimensions and a slim south-west steeple. This gives it considerable vertical emphasis and landscape impact in the flat wetland landscape of Foulness Island, and indeed it was meant to function as a landmark. The church was built as a parish church in 1849-52 to the designs of William Hambley of London.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
South tower with porch. 5-bay aisled nave, 2-bay chancel and north vestry.
Dimensions:
Nave estimated to be c 19m (60ft) x 5m (16ft), chancel 7m long (23 ft).
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was built as a parish church in 1849-52 to the designs of William Hambley of London. It would appear to be the only church designed by this minor architect. It was partly paid for by George Finch, the lord of the manor who also gave land for the extension of the churchyard, with £50 donated by the Elders of Trinity House towards the construction of the spire (with the provision that the steeple be high enough to act as a landmark for navigation) and an ICBS grant; the plan submitted to them is identical to the building which now stands.
The first chapel was possibly built as early as the 12th century, but the first definite record is its establishment as a chantry chapel by and for “William Bohun once earl of Northampton, Humphrey his son late earl of Hereford, and all their progenitors and successors, and Simon de Sudberia bishop of London” in 1374. The chapel served what appears to have been a prosperous farming and fishing community, sheltered by sea walls erected in this period.
A timber-framed chapel was built after the Reformation when Foulness became an ecclesiastical parish (there is a list of incumbents dating to 1377, after the first chantry priest was installed), recorded by White’s Directory in 1848 as a plain building. Nothing appears to have survived from these earlier churches with the exception of the gravestones and some items (notably the bell), but the site has considerable archaeological potential.
Exterior Description
The church is designed in the Early English style with lancets. The slender 3-stage south-west tower gives considerable vertical emphasis. It has an octagonal shingled spire topped by a globe finial, and hipped at the base. Under this the corbel table to the belfry has angle pilasters and a louvred lancet to each face, the pilasters rising from angle buttresses. The second stage has quatrefoiled roundels to the east and west faces. Diocletian recess with circular window within to the south face. Bands define the stages.
The lower stage serves as a porch, with a chamfered 2-centred arch to the doorway under a moulded label with King and Queen stops, and vertically boarded door with ornate hinges. Original iron lantern over doorway. Small lancet windows to side walls. Closer inspection as one approaches the porch reveals signs of decay; there are dead pigeons around the wall footings, along with rotting timbers and pieces of masonry. A sign on the door tells you the church is closed for worship.
The church stands on a plinth. The nave and aisles each have steeply pitched slate roofs, gabled to east and west. There are slender buttresses of two weatherings to all angles and bays. As noted already the windows are all pointed lancets, all windows have labels with real and stylised heads. Nave west window of two lights with quatrefoil head, pointed elliptical window in the gable. The aisle west windows are simple lancets, as are the windows to each aisle bay and the east ends. The doorway in the west bay of the north aisle has a 2-centred head, chamfered of two orders under a label with king and queen head stops, pediment over, vertically boarded door, and ornate strap hinges.
The chancel is narrower and lower than the nave. The east wall has a 3-light of stepped lancets with chamfered heads, the south wall a lancet to each bay. The cross finial to the chancel apex has fallen. The north vestry doorway has a shouldered (Caernarvon) head and vertically boarded door, and lancet to the east wall.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1890-1900
North chancel window, angel with lilies, south window, armoured angel (St Michael?). In the style of John Hardman Powell
Building Materials
Ragstone
Kentish ragstone walls
Slate
Roofs
Interior
Interior Description
Within, the church is quite plain, with whitewashed walls. Pointed aisle arcades with moulded capitals and bases to alternate round and octagonal columns and responds. The roofs have purlins and ridge board construction with collars, moulded posts on corbels and moulded wall plates. Stone flag floors throughout except coloured tiles to the sanctuary, partly under red carpet. Panelled plain box pews, complete with doors. There is serious damp in several places, most notable at the west end, and obvious signs of rodent infestation.
The east end of the north aisle has a vestry behind the organ case, the latter attractively painted with trefoiled roundels. There is a simple 2-centred chancel arch. Square head to north vestry doorway, which has a table which may be 18th-century, with turned legs. The chancel has stained glass to the north and south windows imparting some colour, and a panelled wooden reredos. Plain bench choir stalls, ornately carved Bishop’s chair and other chair, plainer.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1852
Oak table with barley-twist legs.
Reredos
1852
Wooden panelled reredos, side panels with wheat and vine motifs, Four Evangelists to centre panels in poker work.
Pulpit
1852
Octagonal panelled wooden pulpit, moulded cornice and chamfered balusters to steps.
Lectern
1930
Wooden eagle, given 1930 in memory of Walter Cater, Churchwarden.
Font (object)
1852
Stone round bowl to font, octagonal stem, moulded base, carved wooden lid.
Organ (object)
One manual pipe organ by Bevington & Sons of London; a plaque states the organ won a gold medal 1866 at an exhibition, it was purchased from North Ockendon in 1908. Swell and blower added 1935 by Watkins & Watson of London.
Rail
1852
Moulded wooden altar rails, plain.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TR 3 932
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
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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